The MVP isn't the Heisman Trophy

Also, the NFL MVP Chase update heading into Week 15.

On December 8, 2024, Josh Allen passed for three touchdowns and ran for three more, accounting for all six of Buffalo's touchdowns for the game. Just by putting up great numbers in that game, he strengthened his position as the MVP favorite.

But not in the eyes of The MVP Chase, because the Bills lost.

While it can be pointed out that Allen's not the reason they lost, he's also not the reason they won. Because they didn't. At the MVP Chase, we look for winners. That's because the most valuable player is the one who contributes the most to team success. And "success" means "winning." The more a team wins, the more successful it is. And the more a player contributes to those wins, the more valuable he is.

The MVP doesn't go to the "best" player, or the "outstanding" player as college football's Heisman Trophy does. And if the MVP was just about stats, Joe Burrow of the 5-8 Bengals should perhaps be the favorite, not Allen.

That said, Josh Allen does remain in the thick of the MVP Chase which values contributions (usually in the form of stats) in victories. That's because the Bills have a lot of wins and he played well in most of them. And had the Bills won on Sunday, he may be in 2nd place or just a hair behind Jared Goff.

But I don't take into account what players do in losses. That's why Burrow's far behind in the MVP Chase. And it's why six touchdowns in a loss doesn't help Allen.

Here are the MVP Chase standings after Week 14. There are no more bye weeks and every team has played an equal number of games.

James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase (subscribe). Thank you for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for writing, editing, research, and other work: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.