Josh Allen was named The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player for the first time, denying Lamar Jackson a second straight and third overall award.

The Buffalo QB receives 27 first-place votes to the Baltimore QB’s 23, leading to the closest race since Matt Ryan beat out Tom Brady in 2016. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is a near-unanimous

Allen, 28, is the third Bills player to win league MVP, joining Hall of Fame running backs Thurman Thomas (1991) and O.J. Simpson (1973). Bills fullback Cookie Gilchrist (1962) and quarterback Jack Kemp (1965) won league MVP honors during Buffalo's years in the AFL, which merged with the NFL after the 1969 season.