It’s the show that’s thanking you for the free seafood – no, that’s not how we’re starting today. Delicious crab cakes in my pre-Maryland 17th favorite restaurant – awesome! Best crab cakes I’ve had. That’s great, and that’s why they send you free stuff, so they get these millions of dollars of advertising. But can we focus? You know how we were supposed to start the show today – it’s an important day in sports. Two of the greatest athletes ever: Tiger Woods turning 49 (one year away from the senior tour) and LeBron James turning 40. I was saving that for the 4:00 hour. That definitely should’ve been celebrated on December 30th: Tiger, LeBron, and company! What a day!
Let’s get into football now. Josh Allen made an MVP statement as he led the Buffalo Bills to a crushing 40-14 victory over the New York Jets. Allen threw three touchdowns, two passing and one rushing, nearly 200 yards in total. He didn’t even need all that, as he had a massive performance that added to his MVP campaign. Now the MVP race seems to be between Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Saquon Barkley. Allen’s stats, team success, and leadership have put him at the top. Many feel confident that Josh Allen is going to win the MVP, and he’s deserving of it.
Let’s break it down with some points:
Josh Allen: The quarterback with the best individual stats. He’s leading a playoff contender with tremendous impact.
Lamar Jackson: A strong contender, but Josh Allen’s leadership has been pivotal, especially with his performance against Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs.
Saquon Barkley: Even though he’s a running back, his incredible season, potentially breaking the 2,000-yard mark, puts him in the MVP conversation. The Giants have been significantly better thanks to him, and while quarterbacks tend to dominate this award, Barkley’s achievements cannot be ignored.
The MVP race this year is filled with deserving candidates, including Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley, and others like Jared Goff and Sam Darnold, who could also make compelling arguments.
But let’s shift to the debate about Saquon Barkley. Should he chase the 2,000-yard mark? Some of his offensive line teammates, like Lane Johnson, are leaning toward stopping at 2,000 yards, suggesting that 2,000 yards is enough and there’s no need to push further for the record. However, Jordan Mailata, another member of the offensive line, wants Barkley to chase that record, believing it will boost team morale and add to his legacy.
The discussion becomes interesting when you think about legacy. For a running back, hitting a major individual milestone like 2,000 yards can be more important for their career legacy than winning a Super Bowl. The history of running backs like Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, and O.J. Simpson shows that individual achievements have long-lasting recognition in the NFL.
While the injury risk is always a concern, especially with Barkley having already carried the ball a career-high number of times this season, some argue it’s worth the shot. If Barkley gets hurt, it would be a massive loss, but getting this record would place him in an exclusive club.
Ultimately, it’s not just about Saquon Barkley, but also about the team and the vibes. The Giants have already exceeded expectations, and while it’s important to chase records, the team’s playoff success and Barkley’s long-term health should take priority.
In conclusion, Josh Allen appears set to win MVP, but the MVP race remains close, and Saquon Barkley’s chase for 2,000 yards is a storyline that could captivate fans heading into the final stretch of the season.
