Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign, culminating in his first NFL MVP award, despite his exceptional performance, Allen has once again been overlooked in a key evaluation of the league’s top players.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Allen sixth in its list of the top 101 players of the 2024 season, a placement that has sparked considerable debate given his achievements.
PFF’s own data underscores Allen’s dominance throughout the season. According to their metrics, he led the NFL in “big-time throws” with 43 and posted the highest rushing grade for a quarterback at 93.6.
In fact, his rushing grade was the second-highest in the entire league, behind only Derrick Henry (94.2). Given that PFF acknowledges Allen‘s elite passing and rushing abilities, his placement outside the top five raises questions regarding the criteria used to determine them.
If the league MVP, who excelled statistically and played a crucial role in his team’s success, does not rank higher, then what factors are being prioritized?
Allen’s Impact on Buffalo’s Success
Beyond individual statistics, Allen‘s contributions were instrumental in the Bills’ success. Buffalo’s receiving corps in 2024 was among the least productive of any playoff team, yet he still managed to throw for 4,367 yards and 32 touchdowns.
The team’s leading receiver, Khalil Shakir, recorded just 821 yards, while Keon Coleman finished with 556 yards. The combined output of Buffalo’s top two receivers was the lowest among all playoff teams, yet Allen still guided the Bills to a competitive postseason run.
Moreover, Buffalo was one of only two teams to defeat 2024 Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs during the season, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, the Bills secured a victory over the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the Detroit Lions, further highlighting Allen’s ability to perform against elite competition.
Calls for Greater Recognition of Allen’s Performance
Despite his accomplishments, Allen continues to face a level of skepticism that does not align with his on-field production.
His NFL MVP award serves as a testament to his value and impact, yet rankings such as PFF’s continue to place him below other players who arguably had less significant roles in their teams’ success.
While the rankings may not impact Allen‘s approach to the game, they contribute to an ongoing narrative that appears to undervalue his contributions.
Given his consistent elite-level performances, it may be time for analysts and evaluators to reassess how his achievements are measured.
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