Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen took off from the 26-yard line, gripping the football precariously with his right hand.
With a head of steam, he bounced off several Kansas City Chiefs defenders in his path and into the end zone for a game-clinching touchdown in the Bills’ 30-21 win on Sunday.
Buffalo ended Kansas City’s bid for an undefeated season, handing the Chiefs their first loss in 16 games. Kansas City’s last loss, including the playoffs, was Dec. 17, 2023.
Was it enough to elevate Allen, who has never won NFL MVP, back on top of the MVP conversation?
Here’s our USA TODAY NFL MVP rankings after Week 11:
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Jayden Daniels out of MVP Top 5
Daniels, the dynamic Washington Commanders rookie quarterback, has fallen out of our Top 5 following last Thursday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Washington has lost two straight for the first time this season, and relinquished the lead in the NFC East. Still, there’s plenty of season left for Daniels and the Commanders (7-4) to turn it around, including Sunday’s game against the lowly Dallas Cowboys.
5. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, stock up
A new star has entered our Top 5: Welcome, Jalen Hurts. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has helped orchestrate a six-game winning streak, and the lead in the NFC East.
Hurts is second in the NFL with 11 rushing touchdowns, one more than his dynamic running back Saquon Barkley this season, while trailing Baltimore Ravens star tailback Derrick Henry (13).
Hurts is in the Top 10 with a 69.2 completion percentage, 101.8 passer rating, 62.4 QBR, while adding 12 touchdown passes for the 8-2 Eagles, who have a chance to compete for the No. 1 seed in the NFC with the Detroit Lions.
4. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, stock down
The Chiefs suffered the first loss of the season to the Bills last Sunday, unable to rely on the late-game magic they have to win 15 straight before Sunday’s defeat.
Mahomes was 23-for-33 for 196 yards with three touchdowns, but had two interceptions in the loss.
Still, Kansas City has the NFL’s best record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They’ll likely get back on track, facing the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders in the next two games.
3. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, stock down
Jackson was left frustrated after the Ravens suffered the fourth loss of the season, 18-16 to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
Jackson floundered during the Ravens’ 2-point attempt to tie the game with about a minute left. The play resulted in Jackson chucking the football in the air with no real target in the end zone.
The loss also gave the Steelers a two-game lead in the AFC North over the Ravens.
Still, Jackson is first in the NFL with a 117.3 passer rating, and second with 2,876 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, and a 75.1 QBR. The Ravens are also second in the NFL with 41 touchdowns this season.
2. Lions QB Jared Goff, stock even
We went back and forth whether Jackson should own the No. 2 spot. But Goff deserved his credit, too.
Goff continued with another efficient outing: 24 for 29 for 412 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-6 blowout over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He leads the NFL with a 73.0 completion percentage, and thrown 20 touchdowns as the Lions lead the NFL with 42 touchdowns this season.
The Lions are 9-1 and remain the best team in the NFC through Week 11.
1. Bills QB Josh Allen, stock up
It’s hard to deny Allen for the top spot in our MVP rankings after taking down the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL last week.
Allen showed why he’s most valuable to the Bills with his game-winning touchdown run to beat the Chiefs.
The Bills are 9-2, and have won six games in a row. Their win over the Chiefs opens the window for Buffalo to compete for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture, if Kansas City slips up again at some point this season.
The stage is also set for Allen, who could win his first NFL MVP this season.
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