NFL Week 4 Preview: Bills' Allen making early MVP case

No one can win an NFL award through three weeks of the season, but players can certainly stake their case as early front-runners.

A couple of NFL stars — and a blossoming star — have done just that with their early success in the 2024 season.

To get you set for Week 4 of the NFL season, we take a look at a few players who have catapulted their early odds for some of the major offensive NFL awards — and whether or not they can sustain their early success.

Josh Allen mania in Buffalo

It wasn't supposed to be this easy for the Buffalo Bills.

Coming into the 2024 season, many had predicted the Bills to have some early-season regression due to some major off-season changes. They shipped out their No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs, lost some key verterans on defence and were coming off another heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in last year's post-season.

But they still have Josh Allen, and it turns out that's more than enough.

Through the first three weeks of the season, Allen has the Bills looking like the early Super Bowl favourite and has surpassed Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes as the odds-on favourite to bring home the NFL's MVP award.

Led by Allen, the Bills have scored an NFL-leading 112 points — Buffalo's most through three weeks since scoring 113 through three weeks in 2011.

But it's not just how many points they've scored, but how they've scored them. With Diggs gone, and no true No. 1 receiving option, Allen has spread the ball around and a balanced Bills offence has looked even more dangerous than season's past.

Take for example Buffalo's Week 3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, when nine different receivers caught at least two passes and four different pass catchers found the end zone.

The Jaguars looked lost trying to slow down Allen and the Bills. Jacksonville opted to play a ton of man coverage hoping to lock down the Bills' receiving options. But Allen reminded them he's also one of the best dual-threat QBs in the league, and made them pay with his legs on the rare occasion they were able to stay with the Bills receivers, rushing for 44 yards on six carries to also lead Buffalo on the ground.

“I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll keep saying it — he’s a freak of nature,” Bills receiver Khalil Shakir said of Allen after the win over the Jaguars. “He’s putting the ball to where only we can make the play on it. So, freak of nature, dog, all those things.”

Remember when there were questions about Allen's accuracy? Well, those days seem to be long gone. So are the days of questioning the 28-year-old's decision-making, as he has thrown no interceptions through three weeks.

There is still a lot of football to be played, and the NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. But if Allen keeps his early-season trajectory up, he has a very good chance to add the first MVP award of his career to his trophy case. And who knows, maybe a Super Bowl to go with it.

LeBron James seems to be on board:

Caleb Williams, who?

The Chicago Bears' No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams, garnered most of the headlines around early offensive rookie of the year predictions heading into the season. He was touted as a generational prospect and many predicted he might be this season's C.J. Stroud and lead the Bears to a surprise playoff berth.

Williams has shown flashes of what made him the No. 1 overall pick, but has also struggled mightily behind a porous Bears' offensive line.

Instead, it's Washington Commanders rookie signal caller Jayden Daniels who is looking like the shining star from this year's QB class through three weeks.

Daniels looked especially spectacular in the Commanders' upset Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and has Washington off to a 2-1 start — tied for the division lead in the NFC East.

The LSU product completed 91.3 per cent of his passes in the win over the Bengals, setting a rooking passing record in the process. He finished with 254 yards passing and two touchdowns while also adding a TD with his legs.

It gets even more impressive when you look at the efficiency the rookie is running his offence at. Excluding kneel-downs, the Commanders offence has scored points on all 14 drives the past two weeks, the first team in the Super Bowl era to have no punts or turnovers in consecutive games.

That's not supposed to happen with a rookie calling the shots.

The Commanders defence still leaves a lot to be desired, and some growing pains are most likely coming for Daniels when defensive co-ordinators get their hands on more of his tape.

But there's no question Daniels has the early leg up on Williams heading into Week 4.

A needed change of scenery for Saquon Barkley

Look away Giants fans.

It's never easy to see one of the faces of the franchise depart in the off-season. It's even harder when they leave for a division rival.

That's exactly what happened to the New York Giants when star running back Saquon Barkley stayed inside the NFC East and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Through three weeks, signing Barkley has proved fruitful — and necessary — for the Eagles. And the RB has himself looking like the early favourite for the NFL's offensive player of the year award.

Barkley is one of two NFL players to have at least 110 yards from scrimmage through his first three games, racking up 351 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to go along with 53 yards and one TD receiving.

He's a dropped pass in the Eagles' Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons from already being a Philadelphia hero.

The Eagles' receiving room is banged up, and QB Jalen Hurts has started the season slow. Barkley has carried the load early and will continue to do so as long as he's on the field.

New York fans can take solace in the fact that paying Barkley didn't make sense with their current roster.

But still, it will hurt to watch the 2019 offensive rookie of the year shine in Philly, and possibly add an offensive player of the year award to his resume in the process.

Game of the Week: Buffalo Bills (3-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (2-1) — Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

Hard not to get excited about the Sunday nighter this week.

The Baltimore Ravens, who have some momentum after a much-needed win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, host the undefeated Bills who have looked borderline flawless the past two weeks.

Last year's MVP Lamar Jackson, going head-to-head with this season's early MVP front-runner in Allen.

Have we convinced you yet?

The Ravens finally got RB Derrick Henry going last week, as he finished with 151 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys. They will need more of the same on the ground this week to help keep the ball out of Allen's hands.

Otherwise, a 1-3 start could be calling Baltimore's name.

Forrest's Favourites (Season record: 4-2 — All odds courtesy of BetMGM)
Click here for one pick from every game.

Bills @ Ravens — Pick: Bills +2.5: The Ravens defence has been gashed through the air through the first three weeks, giving up 875 yards total. That's a poor sign heading into a matchup with the red-hot Bills. Give us Buffalo plus the points.

Vikings @ Packers — Pick: Vikings +2.5 (-105): We made the mistake of doubting the Vikings' hot start last week. Not going to do it again. Even if Jordan Love plays for the Packers, Minnesota as an underdog is a tasty pick.

Steelers @ Colts — Pick: Steelers -2.0 (-110): The Steelers defence has looked like one of the best units so far this season, and Colts QB Anthony Richardson has looked shaky, at best. If Justin Fields can do just enough as he has through the first three weeks, the defence can carry the Steelers to a 4-0 start.

Full Week 4 Schedule (all times Eastern):

Thursday, Sept. 26
Cowboys 20, Giants 15

Sunday, Sept. 29
Saints at Falcons, 1 p.m.
Rams at Bears, 1 p.m.
Vikings at Packers, 1 p.m.
Steelers at Colts, 1 p.m.
Broncos at Jets, 1 p.m.
Eagles at Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Bengals at Panthers, 1 p.m.
Jaguars at Texans, 1 p.m.
Commanders at Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Patriots at 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
Browns at Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Chiefs at Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Bills at Ravens, 8:20 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 30
Titans at Dolphins, 7:30 p.m.
Seahawks at Lions, 8:15 p.m.