Patrick Mahomes trails Josh Allen in NFL MVP race after Week 6

The season’s mid-point is approaching, and the NFL MVP race is heating up. How does Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stack up after Week 6?

The Kansas City Chiefs franchise has played 35,227 professional football games yet only accounted for one NFL MVP selection in all that time. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes broke that glass ceiling in 2018, posting historic numbers in his first year as a starter. He last received official NFL MVP votes in 2020 but is a yearly contender for the league’s highest individual honor.

Following the Chiefs’ Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Bills quarterback Josh Allen improved his NFL MVP odds, according to FanDuel. With +135 odds to win, Allen is the clear MVP favorite. Mahomes’ odds did not necessarily diminish, as his +500 odds are second-best in the league.

But, Mahomes’ performance against Buffalo was significantly worse than Allen’s. Mahomes compiled 338 passing yards and two touchdowns with 63% completion, but Mahomes’ two interceptions hurt his MVP case and the Chiefs’ performance against Buffalo.

Allen and Mahomes are on a different level in 2022. They, or their offenses, rank in the top five in several metrics and look to be in a higher tier than other quarterbacks so far this season. While Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has an MVP pedigree and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is the trendy underdog pick, they do not stack up against Mahomes or Allen.

Mahomes needs to shake off his Week 6 performance if he wants to stay in the MVP race. The Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, who are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Falcons. An angry Mahomes is a dangerous opponent, no matter the time of the season. Hopefully, Mahomes responds with an excellent performance against one of the league’s best pass defenses.