Josh Allen's historic start to season could be setting stage for another MVP run

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Josh Allen's historic start to season could be setting stage for another MVP run

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Sep 18, 2026 12:26 AM ET

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has already won one MVP award in his career.

His start through the first two games of the 2026 season puts him in very exclusive company, and is also a good indicator of an MVP-level season.

Josh Allen's first two games match only previous MVP winners

With his five-touchdown (three passing, two rushing) performance in Thursday's 41-31 win over the Detroit Lions, Allen is just the third player in NFL history to record nine total touchdowns and zero turnovers through his team's first two games.

The only other quarterbacks to reach those numbers are Peyton Manning in 2013 with the Denver Broncos and Patrick Mahomes in 2018 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Both quarterbacks went on to win the MVP award that season, while Manning and the Broncos reached the Super Bowl.

Mahomes and the Chiefs reached the AFC Championship Game.

Josh Allen is the third player all-time with 9+ Pass/Rush TD and no turnovers over his team's first two games of a season.

The previous two both went on to win MVP pic.twitter.com/QNhX4uvaFK
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 18, 2026

Thursday's game was also the fourth time in Allen's career that he has thrown at least three touchdowns and run for two other touchdowns in the same game.

The only other quarterback in NFL history to have even two such games is Kordell Stewart.

Tonight is Allen's fourth career game with 3+ passing & 2+ rushing TDs in a game.

Kordell Stewart (2) is the only other player to ever tally multiple such games in NFL history. https://t.co/eqWJCyrzml
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) September 18, 2026

Allen is not only one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL. He is also one of the best and most dominant players in the league regardless of position. The only thing his career is missing at this point is a Super Bowl appearance and a Super Bowl ring. Maybe this is the year.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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