Lamar Jackson? Saquon Barkley? Josh Allen? The latter has been pulled as the NFL MVP favorite after another inspired performance for the Super Bowl-hunting Buffalo Bills, says Jeff Reinebold.
Allen threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 68 yards and two scores as the Bills ended the Lions' 11-game winning streak with a 48-42 victory in the highest-scoring game of the NFL season on Sunday.
He has now accounted for 15 touchdowns in the last four games, including six in last weekend's 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
"I would say the last few weeks, when you look at the Chiefs game, the Rams game and then last night, he's certainly been off the field," Reinebold said.
"I haven't seen him play better. He has that rare ability of an athlete who can take over a game and make everyone in the arena and spectators part of his show, that's what that he did against the Lions.
"It was a masterful performance, and not in the way we've seen Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes have masterful games. It was like in the schoolyard and he's the best kid and everybody's running around trying to tag him."
The Bills and Lions combined for 1,080 yards on the day as the NFL's two most prolific offenses in what could still turn out to be a Super Bowl test.
It was the latest statement performance from Buffalo against a Detroit team that has thrived for much of the league, Sean McDermott's side looking to maximize a Championship window in which they have faltered abysmally in recent years.
"The Lions defense is sharp, but you don't go out and score 48 on anybody without it being an accomplishment," added Reinebold.
“If you're a Bills fan, one thing you always worry about is when the game gets tough in the playoffs and the scores go down and everybody's a little more conservative.
“If they get into the shootout, they can go toe-to-toe with anybody and that always gives you a chance.
"It's a whole new day in football because, yes, defense still wins championships, but if you can't go on in one of these games and you're going to spend the next week at home."
Elsewhere, Jackson threw five passes to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a commanding victory over the New York Giants, while Barkley was limited to just 65 rushing yards after amassing 632 yards on the ground over the previous four games.
Allen has now thrown for 3,395 yards and 25 touchdowns to just five interceptions this season while also rushing for 484 yards and 11 scores.
"He's absolutely on top of the NFL world," said Sky Sports NFL presenter Neil Reynolds.
"It's fluctuated a couple of times. I don't think Saquon's going to get it because he's coming back, I think Lamar's five losses hurt. The way Josh Allen has taken over games, there's all these 'wow' plays and he had I'd say it's a crowded race, but Josh Allen is still my MVP.
"He was like the baby boomer before everybody else, knocking the little kids into the ground, that's Allen right now.
"They've scored at least 30 points in eight straight games, so it's no fluke."
Can Baker make the Bucs contenders?
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their dark horse march to the postseason with a 40-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and their No. 1 ranked defense. 1.
Baker Mayfield delivered another standout performance amid the resurgence of his career in Tampa, completing 22 of 27 passes for 288 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
"He'll throw his body around, he inspires the players around him and that's a tremendous quality for a quarterback," Reinebold said.
"Other quarterbacks do it in different ways. Jalen Hurts is a little more laid back, but Baker wants to be one of the guys. I'm sure after the game he walks the linebacker down to the local pub."
Rookie running back Bucky Irving led the way out of the backfield with 117 rushing yards, while Mike Evans continued his pursuit of an 11th straight 1,000-yard campaign with nine catches for 159 yards and two scores. He now has 749 yards and nine touchdowns on the year.
"I think he's going to be a Hall of Famer," Reinebold added. "He's a guy that guys look really easy on, how some guys look like he's strained and you realize how hard they're playing.
"He plays hard, but he's very soft and it looks like he's not even working playing the game.
“The revelation for the Bucs is the ability to get Rachaad White and that young rookie running back Irving who is a punch — now you have a running game and you mix that with a great defense and the ability to throw to Mike Evans.
"They will be a good team in the playoffs."
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