Hall of Famer says Josh Allen edged Lamar Jackson in the MVP race 'for the wrong reason'

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Josh Allen finally earned his first MVP award Thursday night by a slim margin.

The Buffalo Bills quarterback edged Lamar Jackson by 21 points. Allen received 27 first-place votes to Jackson's 23.

Allen has been a perennial MVP candidate throughout his career but had always fallen short prior to Thursday.

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Josh Allen, left, of the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens embrace after a game at M&T Bank Stadium Sept. 29, 2024, in Baltimore.  (G Fiume/Getty Images)

He was a finalist three previous times, and with Jackson having just won last year, one Hall of Famer suggested Allen received sympathy votes this year.

"I get it, because [Josh] is a great quarterback. He hadn't won one. Lamar had two. And they're like, 'Let's just give him one.' But that's the wrong reason," Jonathan Ogden told TMZ Sports. "But it's all good. What are you going to do? But they made the wrong choice. But that's all good.

"I don't want it to sound like I'm hating on Josh because the brother is a tremendous quarterback. But he didn't have the year Lamar had."

Jackson's numbers do trump Allen's mostly across the board, but there is something to be said about Allen's Bills running away with their division despite letting go of top receiver Stefon Diggs.

This season marked the first time since 2019 Allen did not pass for 4,000 yards, but he did lead the NFL with a 77.4 total QBR. While his 28 passing touchdowns were also his lowest since 2019, he did run for 12 touchdowns, the second most of his career.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during