With the 2024 NFL season nearing its climax, the battle for the top seed in the AFC has boiled down to two titans of the gridiron: the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. At the heart of this clash are two quarterbacks who headline any discussion about elite NFL quarterbacks today – Josh Allen of the Bills and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs. As these two juggernauts vie for supremacy, it’s time to delve deeper into the debate: who stands as the NFL’s top quarterback this season?
Patrick Mahomes’ ascent since taking over the Chiefs’ offense in 2018 has been nothing short of legendary. Leading Kansas City to a 12-4 record his first year as a starter, he propelled them to the AFC Championship Game.
In the years since, the Chiefs have dominated the AFC West, securing division crowns for seven consecutive seasons and clinching three Super Bowl titles. However, as remarkable as Mahomes’ consistency and success have been, there’s a feeling that some elements of his game have plateaued or possibly faced new challenges more recently.
Mahomes is renowned for his electrifying athleticism and a howitzer of an arm that can transform any play into a highlight reel. This rare blend of skills has lifted the performance of those around him, but it also carries inherent risks – evidenced by Mahomes’ fourth-highest interception total last season.
Defending against him has become a strategic puzzle that involves having defensive backs that can endure in coverage and pressure from the edges to keep Mahomes contained within the pocket. This is a blueprint the Buffalo Bills have notably utilized to stifle him, pointing to their growing understanding of how to limit his effectiveness.
This season, Mahomes has encountered further challenges with a receiving corps hit by injuries to Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown, combined with an aging but still formidable Travis Kelce. These factors have made it harder, even for Mahomes, to elevate his team’s offensive cohesion through sheer talent alone.
The result? A slight dip in his usual spectacular performance, reflected in a career-low average of 6.7 yards per attempt, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
While Mahomes navigates these hurdles, Josh Allen has made significant strides, crafting what could be the finest season of his career. Allen’s numbers this year shine: 3,395 passing yards at an average of eight yards per attempt, 25 touchdowns to just five interceptions, plus a ground threat that has produced 484 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
Allen’s evolution is apparent – he’s no longer just relying on his cannon of an arm. He’s reading defenses with greater precision and showing an increased versatility in playmaking.
What makes Allen’s achievements even more impressive is the composition of the Bills’ offense, which features a youthful group including rookie Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, and Amari Cooper. Allen has lifted this ensemble to a higher level of play while becoming a model of efficiency and effectiveness as a quarterback.
In a league bursting with quarterback talent, both Mahomes and Allen exhibit qualities that define greatness. Yet, as we survey the landscape of this 2024 season, it’s Allen’s exceptional performance that tips the scales in his favor. The precision, leadership, and dynamic play he’s showcased this year positions him, for now, as the frontrunner in the conversation of who reigns supreme under center.
