The NFL MVP race between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson has been heating up down the stretch of the regular season. The quarterbacks have compiled great statistical numbers and clinched playoff spots for their teams. But this Sunday, in the Buffalo Bills victory over the New England Patriots, Josh Allen threw an interception called an “arm punt” by NFL on CBS. An arm punt is a football term for when a quarterback throws an interception on a deep pass where a team has little chance of getting a first down, so the interception serves the same purpose as a punt. This has drawn the ire of NFL fans for not calling an interception like it is.
Josh Allen’s Interception
Josh Allen had one of his weakest stat lines of the season against the Patriots. He completed 16-of-29 passes for 154 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Before this game, Allen was putting on video game performances against the Lions and Rams. He threw for over 340 yards in both games with five combined passing touchdowns and no interceptions. The Bills offense scored 42 and 48 points in those games, and many were ready to crown Allen as the NFL’s MVP. With the Bills competing for the one seed in the AFC, many believe it is Josh Allen’s award to lose.
But when Allen threw his interception on a deep pass on 3rd and 16, many realized just how ready some were to crown him. His interception was called an “arm punt” by NFL on CBS on social media. This upset many fans, who pointed out that it would be called an interception for nearly every other quarterback. Fans have called out the bias in the post and overall presentation of Allen as the MVP frontrunner. This interception was Allen’s sixth on the season and many believe calling it an arm punt is putting the bad play under the rug to maintain Allen’s status as MVP favorite.
Furthermore, on the CBS broadcast of the Bills vs Patriots game, a game summary graphic showed Josh Allen’s stat line but left off the interception. They compared Allen’s stats to Drake Maye’s, but Maye’s interception was on the graphic while Allen’s was not. Fans noticed this as well and called it out on social media. They were unhappy with CBS seemingly dancing around Josh Allen’s performance, calling his interception an arm punt and leaving it off a graphic when the MVP race is so close.
The MVP Race
The MVP Race between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson is very close. Statically, the edge goes to Jackson. He’s thrown for 3,787 yards, 37 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Allen has thrown for 3,549 yards, 26 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Allen’s advantage comes with his team’s success. The Bills are 12-3 while the Ravens are 10-5. Allen is the current favorite to win after his games against the Rams and Lions, even though Jackson has put on great performances as well. Against the Giants, Jackson threw for 290 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. And this Saturday, he threw for 203 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in the Ravens victory over the Steelers.
Lamar Jackson has more passing yards, touchdowns, and fewer interceptions, but Josh Allen has the better team and more media coverage. It is a captivating race, but the coverage surrounding Allen’s interception has been off-putting. It has made many fans believe in a bias towards Allen to win his first MVP instead of Jackson winning his third. Regardless, the two quarterbacks have been playing great football this season and the final two games could determine the MVP. It will be a race to watch out for as it comes down to the wire.
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