Following the conclusion of the third and final Christmas football game on Monday night, there’s a consensus among many fans. The Baltimore Ravens currently stand out as the top team in the NFL, and Lamar Jackson is emerging as the frontrunner for the MVP title. However, retired All-Pro cornerback and outspoken analyst Richard Sherman is challenging this narrative.
Sherman, while expressing his admiration for Lamar Jackson, raised a compelling argument on Fox Sports 1’s “Undisputed.” He noted that if Jackson were to replicate his MVP-worthy numbers from the 2019 season, where he amassed 43 touchdowns to just six interceptions, there would be resounding acclaim for him as the league’s MVP.
This NFL MVP take from @RSherman_25 forced @keyshawn to leave the set 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/BEqEOIvGai
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) December 26, 2023
This point highlights the notion that some individuals may be quick to downplay Jackson’s MVP candidacy this year, acknowledging that he’s not displaying the same level of dual-threat dominance as in his second NFL season.
But Sherman didn’t stop there; he made a statement that is likely to rile up Ravens fans and even prompted co-worker Keyshawn Johnson, a staunch supporter of Jackson’s MVP candidacy, to briefly exit the set. Sherman asserted that no quarterback is more crucial to their team’s success than Josh Allen is to the Buffalo Bills. His argument rested on the fact that Allen accounts for a remarkable 83 percent of the Bills’ touchdowns, whereas Jackson’s contribution stands at 55 percent.
It’s important to clarify that Sherman isn’t advocating for Allen to be named MVP. Instead, he believes that the likes of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey or Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill deserve the award due to their substantial impact on postseason-bound teams. Despite the Ravens now holding the NFL’s best record at 12-3 following their 33-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, there are various factors contributing to their success.
For instance, Baltimore boasts the league’s stingiest defense, allowing the fewest points per game at 16.3, and they forced five turnovers in their impressive Christmas road win. Lamar Jackson’s individual statistics are undeniably impressive, with 3,357 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, along with 786 rushing yards and five rushing scores this season. However, the question arises: do these numbers outweigh the exceptional contributions of McCaffrey and Hill?
Supporters of Jackson’s MVP campaign argue that his impact goes beyond statistics, citing his unmatched elusiveness and ability to extend drives and create scoring opportunities, as seen on Monday night.
Nonetheless, suggesting that other players may be more deserving of the MVP award shouldn’t be seen as a far-fetched notion. Ultimately, it’s up to the voters to decide how they perceive the MVP debate, and that’s where the true outcome will be determined.