"They pick and choose who they want" - Ex-NFL All-Pro alleges MVP voting is rigged after Josh Allen wins award over Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was considered the favorite for the MVP award at the NFL Honors at Saenger Theater in New Orleans. However, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen surprised many by taking home the coveted prize.
The race between the two signal-callers for the coveted prize was very close. The Bills superstar received 27 first-place votes, while the former MVP got 23. The final points tally was 383-362 in Allen's favor.
Retired wide receiver Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson, who was hosting a live episode of their "Nightcap" Podcast with Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, was among those left perplexed by Allen's win.
The former Cincinnati Bengals star voiced his frustration about the Bills quarterback beating the Ravens superstar and suggested the voting was fixed. He said:
"That's crazy. It makes no sense at all. It's not a testament but the games that they play. They pick and choose who they want, regardless of the accolades, regardless to your resume and the numbers. The numbers speak for based on what Lamar [Jackson] has done."
Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson stats: Ravens QB was streets ahead of Bills superstar
Josh Allen winning the MVP award over Lamar Jackson was shocking due to the sizeable difference in the statistical performances of the two quarterbacks.
The Ravens stars had a better passing completion rate, more passing yards, more passing touchdowns, more rushing yards, and fewer interceptions than the Bills signal-caller. The only category that Allen led in was rushing touchdowns.
In the sole meeting between the two quarterbacks in the regular season, Baltimore thrashed the Bills 35-10. Jackson completed 13 of his 18 passing attempts for 156 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Allen had an underwhelming outing, completing only 16 of his 29 pass attempts for 180 yards and rushing for 21 yards on five carries.
The Ravens finished with only one win fewer than the Bills, and Buffalo didn't even have the best record in the conference, making it even more perplexing that Allen was named the MVP over Jackson.
Baltimore's signal-caller was expected to become only the seventh player in NFL history to win the coveted prize at least thrice. However, he had to be content with a runner-up spot, which many, like Chad Johnson, find inexplicable.