AFC postseason awards watch: Three QBs prime contenders for MVP

Entering Week 9, the races for key end-of-season awards are taking shape.

In the AFC, a former national champion is a leading contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, a conference quarterback is making a great case that he’s deserving of another MVP, but he must hold off this AFC East and AFC South QB.

Here is a closer look.

AFC East 

BUFFALO BILLS | QB Josh Allen, MVP | After finishing inside the top five in MVP balloting in each of the past two seasons, Allen could finally take home the award this season. In addition to leading Buffalo to an AFC East-leading 6-2 record, Allen has thrown for 1,766 yards (and just one interception) and accounted for 17 total touchdowns, the third most among quarterbacks. 

MIAMI DOLPHINS | RB De’Von Achane, Offensive Player of the Year | Achane won’t win this award, but it’s fair to wonder whether he’d be a leading candidate had starting QB Tua Tagovailoa not missed four games due to a concussion. After all, Ravens RB Derrick Henry leads the NFL in total yards per game with 126.5, and in the three contests Achane has played with Tagovailoa, he’s averaging 137.3 total yards per game and scored three touchdowns.

NEW YORK JETS | DT Quinnen Williams, Defensive Player of the Year | Although the defense hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, Williams continues to stand out as one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL. Through eight games, the two-time Pro Bowler has 18 tackles (two for loss), nine QB hits and 3.5 sacks. Plus, he has generated 24 pressures, the sixth most among interior defenders, per Pro Football Focus.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | CB Christian Gonzalez, Defensive Player of the Year | Despite playing against high-profile wideouts Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf and Davante Adams, the 2023 first-round pick has been one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the league this season. Not only has the Oregon product tallied four pass breakups and one interception, but according to Pro Football Focus, he has also only allowed 305 yards in coverage, the fifth fewest among cornerbacks who have played at least 500 snaps. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | CB Patrick Surtain II, Defensive Player of the Year | No cornerback has won DPOY since former New England Patriots star Stephon Gilmore in 2019, but Surtain is making a compelling case. Through his first seven games, he has only allowed one TD catch and has three interceptions (via Pro Football Focus). 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | DT Chris Jones, Defensive Player of the Year |
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones ranks second among DTs in pressures (33) and has posted a stellar 91.2 pass-rush grade through his first seven games. He’s also a reason Kansas City (7-0) has allowed the league’s fifth-fewest points per game (17.6). 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | TE Brock Bowers, Offensive Rookie of the Year | Bowers, a national champ at Georgia, is among the few bright spots on the Raiders (2-6). Through eight games, the No. 13 overall pick leads the league in receptions (52) and is 11th in receiving yards (535). 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | RB J.K. Dobbins, Comeback Player of the Year | Dobbins missed 43 games in his first three seasons with the Ravens because of hamstring, knee and Achilles injuries. However, he has stayed healthy in 2024 and powered L.A.’s ground attack, rushing for the league’s 10th-most yards (535) in seven games. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | QB Lamar Jackson, MVP | Don’t be surprised if Jackson becomes the sixth player in NFL history to win consecutive MVPs. Through his first eight games, he has the league’s second-most TD passes (17) and second-best QBR (74.9). 

CINCINNATI BENGALS | WR Ja’Marr Chase, Offensive Player of the Year | Chase — who has two years left on his rookie deal — is showing why the Bengals should reward him with a payday next offseason. In eight games, he leads the league in receiving yards (674) and TD catches (seven).

CLEVELAND BROWNS | DE Myles Garrett, Defensive Player of the Year | The reigning DPOY is off to another excellent start. Through eight games, he ranks seventh among edge-rushers in pressures (36) and second in pass-rush grade (92.8), per Pro Football Focus. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | LB T.J. Watt, Defensive Player of the Year |
After finishing second behind Garrett in DPOY voting last season, Watt is seemingly using that as fuel in 2024. Through eight games, he’s tied for seventh in the league in sacks (6.5) and tied for first in forced fumbles (four). — Clark Dalton

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | QB C.J. Stroud, MVP | The second-year quarterback has Houston in the driver’s seat for its second consecutive AFC South title. Stroud is seventh in the league in passing (1,948 yards) and has already produced two winning drives, tied for the second most through Week 8. 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Edge-rusher Laiatu Latu, Defensive Rookie of the Year | The No. 15 overall pick in April’s 2024 NFL Draft is second on the Colts with 17 QB pressures, including two sacks. Latu has also forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and deflected a pass to fill up his stat line in only eight games.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | WR Brian Thomas Jr., Offensive Rookie of the Year | The LSU product is one of the few bright spots in Jacksonville. Thomas has 33 receptions for 573 yards (17.4 yards per reception) and five touchdowns — all of which lead the Jaguars (2-6). 

TENNESSEE TITANS | DB L’Jarius Sneed, Defensive Player of the Year | Sneed, who missed Week 8 with a quad injury, hasn’t been the problem during Tennessee’s 1-6 start. The two-time Super Bowl winner with the Chiefs has been outstanding in coverage, allowing nine receptions on 21 targets (42.9 percent), per Pro Football Focus. — Eric Smithling