Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen edged two-time winner Lamar Jackson to be named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2024 season.

Allen, who led Buffalo to a fifth straight AFC East title, got 27 of the 50 first-place votes – from a national panel of media members – to Jackson’s 23 and finished with 383 points.

Jackson, who led the Baltimore Ravens to a second straight AFC North championship, got 26 second-place votes and one fourth for a total of 362 points.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley finished third (120 points), followed by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (82) and Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff (47), with this year’s MVP race the closest since Matt Ryan beat out Tom Brady in 2016.

The award was handed out at a star-studded ceremony hosted by hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg at New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre, ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Kansas Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles – live on Sky Sports.

“I do appreciate it,” Allen said after being crowned MVP. “I think there are a few guys on my team who appreciate it even more than I do. This award isn’t the reason why I play this game.

“Obviously I want to be recognised as great at what I do and one of the best at what I do, but I still want the Super Bowl. That’s our goal. But I will say this, this award means your team had a lot of success. We didn’t get it done but we will keep working until we do.”

Allen threw for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns and had six picks for a 101.4 passer rating during his 2024 campaign. He ran for 531 yards and 12 scores, becoming the first player in NFL history to have five consecutive seasons with at least 40 total touchdowns.

Jackson had career-highs with 4,172 yards passing, 41 touchdowns to just four interceptions and a 119.6 passer rating, which led the NFL and saw him named the NFL All-Pro quarterback.

The last time a first-team All-Pro didn’t win the NFL MVP award was 1987, when John Elway was the MVP that season and Joe Montana was first-team All-Pro, with the MVP award given to a player who had the most valuable season and All-Pro a statistical recognition.

O’Connell named Coach of the Year

Kevin O’Connell beat out Dan Campbell for NFL Coach of the Year after leading the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins with quarterback Sam Darnold, having been widely picked to finish last in the NFC North.

“I put a lot of thought into this season – I thought it had a chance to be a special team,” said O’Connell, who was presented by Bill Belichick, the coach who drafted him in the third round in 2008. “It’s a great example of unique people and unique things being able to come together and find a way to try to have unique results.”

O’Connell got 25 first-place votes, 18 seconds and seven thirds, appearing on all 50 ballots, with Campbell – who guided Detroit to a franchise-record 15 wins – got 19 first-place votes to finish second.

Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse was an overwhelming choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year and Saquon Barkley ran away with the Offensive Player of the Year award.

Joe Burrow took the Comeback Player of the Year award after returning from wrist surgery in 2023 to lead the NFL with 4,918 yards passing and 43 touchdown passes.

Who else won awards in the NFL Honours?

NFL MVP: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

NFL Coach of the Year: Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Walter Payton Man of the Year: Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday February 9, live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 10pm ahead of kick-off at 11.30pm; 17-time Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar headlines the half-time show