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In the aftermath of Week 4, Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen remains the early favorite for the NFL MVP award, even with a recent setback against the Ravens. Historically, the MVP recognition heavily favors quarterbacks, leaving slim chances for other positions.

Only two defensive players have ever clinched the MVP title: Alan Page in 1971 and Lawrence Taylor in 1986. Offensive players outside the quarterback and running back positions typically don’t make the cut, with the sole exception being kicker Mark Moseley in the strike-shortened 1982 season. Running backs face their own uphill battle, having only interrupted quarterback dominance once since 2007 when Adrian Peterson had his remarkable 2,000-yard season in 2012.

As the list of current MVP front-runners unfolds, at number five, Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders has made a significant impact. Daniels, a rookie, has propelled Washington to a 3-1 record atop the NFC East. His extraordinary 82.1% completion rate and 897 passing yards place him among the league’s best. His standout metrics further include topping the NFL in success rate and EPA per play, while his dual-threat capability adds another 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns to his profile.

Coming in fourth is Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens, who has had a dynamic start to his season. After a slow initial two weeks, Henry surged with 350 yards and three touchdowns over the subsequent two games. His performance includes a standout 87-yard touchdown run against the Bills, contributing to his league-leading 480 rushing yards and setting a furious pace towards potentially another 2,000-yard season.

Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings ranks third, delivering a surprising performance this season. Filling in for the injured J.J. McCarthy, Darnold has led the Vikings to an undefeated start. His 233 passing yards per game and league-high 11 touchdown passes have kept Minnesota's offense potent, even in the absence of key players like Jordan Addison.

Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers takes the second spot. Despite injuries to star teammates such as Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey, Purdy has maintained impressive stats with 1,130 passing yards and a league-best 9.3 yards per attempt. He ranks third in EPA per play and remains a top-10 contender in multiple advanced metrics.

Finally, Josh Allen tops the MVP watch list. Leading the Bills with poise even after their Week 4 blowout loss, Allen has thrown seven touchdown passes without a single interception. Adapting to changes in his receiving corps and focusing on quicker throws instead of running, he remains efficient with significant rankings in EPA per play and success rate. His current performance suggests that a monster season could be on the horizon.

As the NFL season progresses, Allen, along with these other standout players, continues to make a compelling case for the MVP award, showcasing incredible talent and resilience on the field.