Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals signal caller Joe Burrow are part of the closest NFL MVP race in recent memory as the leagues enters its final week

While Lamar Jackson captured his fourth Baltimore Ravens team MVP honor to put him one step closer to a third NFL MVP award, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow admitted the honor may be out of his grasp.

Despite a historic offense season and a furious comeback to climb back into the playoff picture, Burrow admitted “Usually you got to win your division” to win MVP – this puts AFC North leader and Ravens quarterback Jackson in a pole position to claim the honor.

Jackson and the 11-5 Ravens would capture the AFC North with a win over the tanking 3-13 Cleveland Browns on Sunday. “It means a lot to my home team,” the Baltimore quarterback said of the team MVP award. “My teammates appreciate this a lot.”

Burrow leads the league in both passing yards with 4,641 and passing touchdowns with 42, but both Josh Allen and Jackson remain ahead of him per most MVP odds. After Cincinnati’s dramatic 30-24 overtime win over the Denver Broncos to keep their postseason hopes alive, Burrow was serenaded with “MVP” chants by the home faithful.

He acknowledged he heard them and admitted he “will win” the award one day, “but not this year…usually you got to win your division. It is what it is. That’s how it’s voted. I don’t necessarily disagree with it.”

The Bengals limped to a 4-8 record to start the campaign due to poor performance in close games and a leaky defense. Cincinnati started the year 1-7 in one-score games but has recovered to win their next two. They are now 8-8 and could still sneak into the playoffs if results go their way in Week 18.

Joe Burrow was serenaded with MVP chants after his team’s overtime win over Denver last Saturday ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
The Bengals defense has allowed the sixth most points in the NFL, making every game for Burrow a shootout. His offense has done its part, scoring the fourth most points in the league.

“I don’t know how anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and not say he’s the best player in the world,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor admitted. “The clearest thing I can say is I would not trade Joe Burrow for any player in the universe. To me, that’s MVP to me.”

Taylor is far from the only Burrow admirer. “If Joe Burrow takes this team to the playoffs I don’t even think it should be in question who’s MVP!! God damm! Best in the world rn!” Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons tweeted.

Jackson has already captured a pair of NFL MVP awards, though his 2024 season is arguably his finest from a counting stats perspective. The Ravs signal-caller has already thrown for 3,955 yards and 39 touchdowns – both career-highs. His QBR of 78.0 tops the entire NFL.