As we reach the end of Week 3 in the NFL season, there’s a standout candidate for the Most Valuable Player award.

Surprisingly, it isn’t the current MVP, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens (who won in 2019 and 2023).

Neither is it Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl MVP (winners in 2018 and 2022).

Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets also isn’t in the mix, despite showing flashes of his former MVP self from 2020 and 2021.

Remarkably, those three have accounted for the last six MVP awards.

However, a different NFL star might break through this year and claim his first MVP title if his exceptional play continues through the remainder of the season.

Below is our ranking of the top three players in the 2024 NFL MVP race, plus one honorable mention worthy of recognition following Week 3:

3. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

The reigning Super Bowl MVP and the Chiefs are enjoying a perfect 3-0 start, prompting NFL fans to question how they’re achieving such success.

Kansas City has triumphed over the Ravens, Bengals, and Falcons, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure like they did during their Super Bowl victories.

Mahomes now has a new go-to receiver in Rashee Rice, who has made 24 receptions—significantly outpacing Travis Kelce, who has only eight catches for 69 yards. The Chiefs’ ground game is also looking solid with rookie Carson Steele, who ran for 72 yards on 17 carries in the Falcons game, stepping in for the injured Isiah Pacheco.

While Mahomes isn’t without flaws—having thrown four interceptions and facing tough defenses—he’s still thrown five touchdown passes and made crucial scoring drives, keeping him in the MVP discussion.

2. Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold

The quarterback, drafted third overall in 2018, seems to have found his stride in Minnesota, thriving in coach Kevin O’Connell’s system with NFL’s leading receiver Justin Jefferson and seasoned running back Aaron Jones.

The strong Vikings defense has lightened Darnold’s load by allowing only 10 points per game, placing them second in the league behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (who allow 8.7 points).

His impressive touchdown tally and wins against prominent teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Texans strengthen his early MVP candidacy.

1. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen

Josh Allen had an outstanding performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing four touchdown passes and leading the Bills to a decisive 47-10 victory on Monday Night Football.

Allen and the Bills remain unbeaten at 3-0, demonstrating they haven’t missed star receiver Stefon Diggs. In fact, in the game against Jacksonville, ten different players caught passes as Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady successfully orchestrated the offense to utilize all available talent. Running back James Cook has also emerged as a versatile asset for Allen, both as a runner and receiver.

Leading the NFL with a 92.6 QBR and a 133.7 quarterback rating, Allen has also not committed any turnovers since losing the ball on the Bills’ first drive of the season.

With comeback and dominant wins in the previous games against the Cardinals, Dolphins, and Jaguars, Allen is currently the front-runner in the MVP race.

Honorable Mention: Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

While the MVP award typically goes to quarterbacks, it’s worth mentioning the Eagles’ new star running back Saquon Barkley. His addition has solidified Philadelphia’s position as the favorites in the NFC East this year.

Barkley played a crucial role in the Eagles’ recent victory over the New Orleans Saints by scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

He has five total touchdowns this season, tied with Saints’ Alvin Kamara (who had a standout game with four touchdowns) and Rams’ Kyren Williams (who scored three last week).

Though Barkley ranks second to Kamara in total yards this season (417 to 404), he clearly shone in their matchup last week, collecting 156 total yards while Kamara managed 127 yards without a touchdown.