While it may be premature to award the MVP title just yet, it’s safe to say that Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is currently the frontrunner. As the Bills prepare for a Sunday night face-off at the Big ATM with last season’s MVP, Lamar Jackson, Allen stands out as the hottest quarterback in the NFL right now.

Though it’s early in the season, of the five unbeaten teams in the NFL, the Bills (3-0) have truly made an impression. They are heading into Baltimore after three impressive victories and lead the league with an astonishing average of 37.3 points per game.

At the center of this success is Allen, enjoying the best start of his career. He boasts the league’s highest passer rating (133.7) and has completed 75% of his throws. With his ability to run the ball still a threat, he has recorded an NFL-high nine total touchdowns. However, that’s only part of the picture.

What’s striking is the absence of turnovers. In his first six seasons, Allen often faced scrutiny for turnovers, but this season he has yet to throw an interception. After a career-high 22 turnovers last year, he has only one turnover (a lost fumble) this season.

Also noteworthy is how Allen is thriving without Stefon Diggs, the former top receiver traded to the Houston Texans in April. Despite Diggs performing well in Houston, the Bills have not noticeably missed him. In a game against Jacksonville on Monday night, Allen connected with ten different receivers, including four different players who caught touchdown passes.

The transformation of the Bills’ receiving group post-Diggs and following Gabe Davis’s departure in free agency has highlighted Allen’s progress in a more versatile offense. Third-year player Khalil Shakir, known for his speed, has made a strong impact, catching all 14 passes thrown his way. Yet, the key to Allen’s success appears to be balance in the offense.

“He’s distributing the ball more effectively,” noted Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr in a press conference. “You can’t predict where the ball will go – all his receivers can receive it in any situation, even the running backs and tight ends.”

Moreover, the Bills own one of the league’s best offensive lines, allowing the fewest sacks (only 2) this season. The running game, which previously relied heavily on Allen’s efforts, has been bolstered with James Cook’s emergence last season. While Allen can still pose a threat by running or extending plays, he now benefits from a more rounded support system. This could be the turning point for the Bills to shift from being Super Bowl contenders to championship winners, as promised by coach Sean McDermott.

The Ravens’ defense will be a significant test, as they excel against the run but struggle against the pass. Baltimore’s defense hasn’t been as formidable as it once was, especially given their recent tendency to lose substantial leads. The Ravens narrowly secured a victory against Dallas last weekend and previously lost to the Raiders after blowing a ten-point lead in the fourth quarter. During their last encounter with the Bills in October 2022, Buffalo staged an impressive comeback from a 20-3 deficit to win.

This matchup could be a tough one for Baltimore (1-2). However, given the nature of the NFL, anything can happen. The Ravens may have a shot at slowing down Allen with strategic pressure and opportunistic turnovers. Plus, Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, might just turn the tide with a standout performance against the MVP candidate.

After decisively defeating Jacksonville and Miami, and rallying against Arizona in Week 1, Allen and the team face their most challenging stretch yet, with three consecutive away games ahead. Following Baltimore, they will visit Houston (where Diggs awaits) and then take on four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

This is a crucial moment for Allen to bolster his MVP credentials.

A Costly Mistake for the Giants

With time passing, the New York Giants’ choice to let Saquon Barkley leave for a division rival looks increasingly unwise.

In their prime-time loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Giants’ running back Devin Singletary had 14 carries for just 24 yards (1.7 yards per carry), while the whole team managed a meager 26 yards on 24 attempts (averaging just 1.1 yards per carry).

This was against a Cowboys defense that had recently been overwhelmed by the Ravens, giving up 274 rushing yards just four days earlier, and 190 yards to the New Orleans Saints before that.

In contrast, Barkley enters his game against Tampa Bay with the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFL’s leading rusher, boasting 351 yards and averaging a solid 5.8 yards per attempt.

Unless something remarkable happens, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll’s decision to undervalue Barkley may have severe repercussions, possibly even costing them their jobs. The optics are even more troubling after this decision was featured during the offseason on “Hard Knocks,” increasing the pressure on Giants owner John Mara to reassess the situation.

Barkley’s new contract in Philadelphia includes three years worth up to $46.75 million.

The implications of this choice for the Giants will be substantial, especially as they have opted to depend on an average quarterback, Daniel Jones, instead of securing an elite running back like Barkley.

Quick Tidbits

— Jayden Daniels will lead the Arizona game on Sunday with the highest completion percentage for any rookie quarterback after three games.

In NFL history, the Washington Commanders’ quarterback boasts an impressive 80.3% completion rate, leading the league among players with at least 40 passing attempts. Additionally, he has made an immediate impact: the Commanders have scored on every possession in their last two games, except for when they took a knee, a feat unmatched by any NFL team since 2000.

— The Vikings defense, which currently tops the NFL with 16 sacks, is heading to Lambeau Field for an NFC North showdown against the Packers. Under the guidance of coordinator Brian Flores, this unit is the first since the 1988 Los Angeles Rams to achieve at least five sacks and an interception in each of their first three games.

— It’s surprising that despite kickers successfully making 42 out of 55 field goal attempts from 50 yards or more (76.4%) through Week 3, the Ravens’ Justin Tucker remains 0-for-2 from distances of over 50 yards. Tucker, who holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history at 66 yards, has made 58 field goals from 50 yards or longer in his 13 seasons. However, it might only be a matter of time before Brandon Aubrey, the emerging star from the Dallas Cowboys, surpasses Tucker’s distance record. This season, Aubrey has successfully converted 6 out of 7 attempts from 50-plus yards and has an impressive career total of 16 out of 17 on such kicks since joining the league in 2023.