This year’s Josh Allen-Lamar Jackson MVP debate could finish as the closest vote in the award’s history. And after breaking down countless details comparing Allen, Jackson and Joe Burrow, ESPN analyst and Associated Press voter Mina Kimes said this week there’s one factor that’ll likely push her in Jackson’s direction.
“I think the deciding thing for me ended up being strength of schedule,” Kimes said Tuesday on the Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny. “That was the thing that really jarred me. … Kind of looking at the teams that he’s beat, some of the common opponents, the fact that he’s beaten these quarterbacks.
“I will say, though, as we’re taping this, this week, if he drops a total dud this weekend, I’m probably going to go Allen because it’s that close for me. And, so, my rankings ultimately were Lamar, Allen, then Burrow. But if Burrow goes nuts this weekend and they somehow squeak into the playoffs … I haven’t fully decided yet but I’m heavily leaning Lamar.”
On Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Jackson and the Ravens (11-5) still have plenty to accomplish against the Browns (3-13). On a team level, Baltimore needs a win to clinch the AFC North and the conference’s No. 3 seed. And in front of a national audience, Jackson (121.6) can improve his passer rating to eclipse Aaron Rodgers’ 2011 single-season NFL record, 122.5. Jackson also has a 9.75 touchdown-to-interception ratio (39 TD passes, four INTs), which currently ranks sixth in league history among qualified passers.
And while Jackson is expected to play most if not all of Saturday’s game, Allen should see significantly fewer snaps on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at New England (3-13). Allen will extend his string of consecutive starts to 115 but the Bills (13-3) are locked into the AFC’s No. 2 seed and Sean McDermott doesn’t want to risk injury with the playoffs on the horizon.
Baltimore enters Week 18 with a .555 opponent winning percentage (Ravens foes have a combined 142 wins). In the NFL, only San Francisco (.574) has a better strength of schedule. In contrast, Buffalo’s opponents have just 92 wins and a .442 winning percentage, a mark likely to drop on Sunday.
And while McDermott, Allen’s teammates and plenty of voters support Allen to win his first MVP, the Bills quarterback doesn’t care whether he did enough last week against the Jets to lock up the award. Getting Buffalo to the Super Bowl for the first time in 31 years is infinitely better than individual recognition.
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