Analysts select Josh Allen as MVP at season's midpoint

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is still perceived as the NFL's top Most Valuable Player candidate for the 2022 season assuming he's healthy enough to play. 

For a piece published Tuesday, 10 NFL media members voted Allen the league's MVP at the unofficial midway point of the campaign. Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs were tied for second with six votes each, followed by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Baltimore Ravens star signal-caller Lamar Jackson. Burrow and Jackson both received a single vote. 

NFL media personalities voted Allen the preseason favorite to earn MVP honors this summer. 

"Allen is the best player on the league's most complete team/Super Bowl favorite, a physical marvel who continues to astound with his arm and legs," Judy Battista said of the 26-year-old. "Less than halfway through the season, he has 2,403 passing yards and nearly 400 rushing yards (392), and he has already led victories over three likely AFC playoff teams (the Tennessee Titans, Ravens and Chiefs). His elbow injury could change the trajectory of the season, but assuming Allen doesn't miss much time, if any, he's a prime candidate to nab the MVP trophy and hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Arizona this February."

ESPN's Chris Mortensen (h/t Alaina Getzenberg) reported Monday that Allen was "being evaluated for a right elbow injury to the ulnar collateral ligament and related nerves" that he suffered during this past Sunday's 20-17 loss to the New York Jets that dropped the Bills to 6-2 on the season. It's unclear if Allen will be available for this coming Sunday's home game against the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings.