On Monday, an infographic post by the official NFL handle went viral on X, featuring the “top tier” for the MVP race this season. Only two players with their stats stacked against each other were shown — Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. The former won the poll, but the comment section couldn’t overlook one player from a team that is sitting at .500 and barely alive in the playoff hunt with just one regular season game at Pittsburgh left—the Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback, Joe Burrow.

The Who-Dey nation may have hailed the 28-year-old as the “M-V-P” already when he was heading toward the locker room after orchestrating a clinical performance by throwing for 412 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-24 overtime win at home against the Denver Broncos on Saturday. But could these chants and their late surge into the contest despite a 4-8 start see a new contender in the mix?

Just last week, Joe Cool became the first player in NFL history to throw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in eight consecutive games and is currently leading the NFL with 4,641 passing yards and 42 touchdowns against just six interceptions. If stats are anything to go by, there’s certainly a case to be made. His head coach Zac Taylor had already given his post-game verdict, saying, “I don’t know how anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and not say he’s the best player in the world… The clearest thing I can say is I would not trade Joe Burrow for any player in the universe. To me, that’s MVP to me.” Shortly after, at the press conference on Tuesday, Joe Burrow weighed in on the MVP question.

Reporter: “Did you hear the MVP chants when you got off the field?”
Burrow: “I did.”
Reporter: “What were your thoughts?”
Burrow: “I will win one day.”
When probed further, Joe admitted that the team’s relative lack of success this season makes him an unlikely choice. He said, “I doubt it. Usually you gotta win your division. . . It is what it is. That’s how it’s voted. I don’t necessarily disagree with it, I would say.”

Well, despite veteran Cowboy and former NFL Hall of Famer Troy Aikman snubbed other candidates saying, “No disrespect to anyone and the year they’ve had, but if I had a vote, it would go to Joe Burrow,” Burrow is currently content with finishing No. 2 in Pro Bowl voting at his position, trailing only Washington’s Jayden Daniels. He makes a strong case for winning comeback player of the year after last season ended with a wrist injury, a feat he has had a previous experience with in 2021 after he returned after an ACL injury. Although he first admitted that it’s not really an award you want to win twice, he later added, “If you’re up for it, you might as well try to win.”

Meanwhile, the state has awarded the Baltimore Ravens star its most prestigious award—you wouldn’t be shocked to know, right?

Lamar Jackson awarded the MVP in Baltimore

In a room full of well-wishers, the local media has crowned Lamar Jackson as the Ravens’ team MVP for the fourth time.  After receiving the award, Lamar delivered a short speech. He remarked, “It means a lot to my home team. My teammates appreciate this a lot.” Lamar has scored a staggering 39 touchdowns this season (ranks 2nd in the league) which is his career-best passing TDs. With only 4 interceptions (two less than Josh Allen), Lamar ranks #1 in quarterback rating with 78.0 QBR.

What’s more interesting is that the hotly contested MVP race is not new to Lamar. He owned this award in 2019 and 2023 and is moving inch by inch closer to defend the title against someone like a Joe Burrow or Josh Allen who are seeking this award for the first time.

What’s your pick for the MVP?