The NFL MVP race tightens into the final stretch with Josh Allen crashing the party after an explosive performance that knocked defending champion's odds from long shot to legitimate contender.

Allen's masterclass against Cincinnati—22 of 28 for 251 yards, three touchdown passes, zero interceptions, plus 78 rushing yards including a 40-yard TD run—in falling snow vaulted him from +2500 to +1500 odds at DraftKings. The reigning MVP now sits in contention as Matthew Stafford leads at -180 and Drake Maye holds second at +200.

The 9-4 Bills, winners of three of four, travel to New England on Sunday knowing the final month determines everything. Allen leads all NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards (487) and rushing touchdowns (12) while sitting fifth in passing TDs (22), sixth in passer rating (102.9), and eighth in passing yards (3,083).

Allen's dual-threat dominance rewrite the record books. He's the first quarterback in league history with at least 20 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns in three separate seasons. His 50 career games with both a rushing and passing TD stands as the NFL record.

"When they needed him most, he was Superman" — Greg Olsen on Allen's performance vs. Cincinnati

December historically belongs to Allen. Last year he threw 18 total touchdowns with just one turnover in the month while averaging 38 points per game and going 4-1.

The Field

Stafford remains the favorite. The Rams quarterback bounced back from inconsistency with 281 yards and three TDs against Arizona for a 131.2 passer rating. He joins Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers as the only quarterbacks with seven games of three-plus TDs and zero interceptions in a single season. Stafford faces Detroit—his former team—at SoFi this weekend.

Maye stays dangerous at +200. The Patriots rookie takes on Allen in a rematch after winning 23-20 earlier this season when he completed 22 of 30 for 273 yards. New England sits 1.5-point underdogs at home.

Jordan Love enters the conversation at +1000 after torching Chicago with 234 yards and three touchdown passes (45, 41, and 23 yards) in an NFC North battle. Love completed 8 of 11 against the blitz for 126 yards and two TDs with a season-high 63.6% success rate.

Myles Garrett chases history at +30000. The Browns pass rusher reached 20 sacks—three away from Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt's record of 22.5. But the Titans limited his impact with just one pressure on 24 pass rushes.

The struggles of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow have opened the door. Allen will need Superman-level performances down the stretch for Buffalo to mount a Super Bowl run.