Josh Allen shockingly behind rival QB in ESPN analyst's MVP rankings

Sunday's game between the Bills and Patriots will prove a lot

Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs out of the pocket in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Josh Allen and Drake Maye are two of the main contenders for the NFL's Most Valuable Player award, but ESPN's Bill Barnwell favors one over the other.

The Buffalo Bills' quarterback and reigning NFL MVP isn't even ranked, being far behind top-ranked Maye on Barnwell's list.

Despite Allen's big plays that litter December, as evidenced by those in the Bills' most recent game, a 39-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, one thing stands out to Barnwell, and it's not good.

Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rushes the ball against the Patriots during the first half at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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"Allen's interception rate has nearly doubled, jumping from 1.2% a year ago to 2.6% this season," Barnwell wrote. "Allen ran a 2.8% sack rate in 2024, an impossibly low figure for a quarterback who extends plays as often as he does. This season, that has nearly tripled to 7.6%."

The turnover problems linger throughout the Bills, but compared to last season's, Allen's increase in negative plays is arguably the most alarming part of what has happened with their offense.

The Bills' game against the New England Patriots on Sunday will either be Allen's last chance to stake a claim to the MVP over Maye, who'll be on the opposite sideline, or his fall out of the race completely, depending on how the Bills do.

Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rushes the ball against Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III (7) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

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