See the AFC postseason awards: the top three MVP contenders

At the start of Week 9, the races for key season awards begin.

In the AFC, the former national champion is the main contender for the title of Offensive Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, the conference quarterback makes the excellent case he deserves another MVP, but he should hold off on this AFC East and AFC South QB.

Here is closer.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | QB Josh Allen, MVP | After finishing in the top five in each of the last two seasons, Allen could finally take home the award this season. In addition to leading Buffalo to a 6-2 AFC East record, Allen threw for 1,766 yards (and just one interception) and accounted for 17 total touchdownsthird place among defenders.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | RB De’Vaughn Achane, Offensive Player of the Year | Achane won’t win the award, but it’s fair to wonder if he’d be a front-runner if starting VC Tua Tagovailoa hadn’t missed four games with a concussion. After all, Ravens RB Derrick Henry leads the NFL in total yards per game with 126.5, and in the three contests Achane has played with Tagovailoa, he averages 137.3 yards per game and scored three touchdowns.

NEW YORK JETS | DT Quinnen Williams, Defensive Player of the Year | Even though the defense hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, Williams continues to stand out as one of the best backs in the NFL. In eight games, the two-time Pro Bowler has 18 tackles (two for loss), nine QB hits and 3.5 sacks. In addition, he created 24 pressures, sixth place among internal affairs defendersper Pro Football Focus.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | CB Christian Gonzalez, Defensive Player of the Year | Despite playing against notable wideouts Tyreke Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf and Davante Adams, the 2023 first-round pick was one of the best cornerbacks in the league this season. Not only did the Oregon product tally four pass breakups and one interception, but according to Pro Football Focus, he also allowed just 305 yards in coveragefifth fewest among cornerbacks with at least 500 snaps. — Colum Dell

AFC Zahid

DENVER BRONCOS | CB Patrick Certain II, Defensive Player of the Year | No cornerback has won DPOY since former New England Patriots star Stephon Gilmore in 2019but Surtain makes a compelling case. Through his first seven games, he allowed just one TD catch and three interceptions (via Pro Football Focus).

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | DT Chris Jones, Defensive Player of the Year |
According to Pro Football FocusJones ranks second among DTs in pressures (33) and has posted a stellar 91.2 passer rating through the first seven games. He’s also the reason Kansas City (7-0) has the fifth-best points per game in the league (17.6).

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | TE Brock Bowers, Offensive Rookie of the Year | Bowers, a national champion at Georgia, is one of the few bright spots for the Raiders (2-6). Through eight games, the No. 13 overall pick leads the league in receiving yards (52) and is 11th in receiving yards (535).

CHARGERS LOS ANGELES | RB JK Dobbins, Returning Player of the Year | Dobbins missed 43 games over his first three seasons with the Ravens due to hamstring, knee and Achilles injuries. However, he stayed healthy in 2024 and fueled Los Angeles’ ground attack with the league’s 10th-most rushing yards (535) in seven games. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | QB Lamar Jackson, MVP | Don’t be surprised if Jackson becomes the sixth player in NFL history to win back-to-back MVPs. Through his first eight games, he has the league’s second-most passing TDs (17) and second-best QBR (74.9).

CINCINNATI BENGALS | V.R. Ja’Marr Chase, Offensive Player of the Year | Chase, who has two years left on his rookie contract, shows why the Bengals should reward him with a salary next offseason. Through eight games, he leads the league in receiving yards (674) and TD catches (seven).

CLEVELAND BROWNS | DE Myles Garrett, Defensive Player of the Year | The reigning DPOY is off to a great start again. Through eight games, he ranks seventh among the leaders in pressures (36) and second in pass rush rating (92.8), per Pro Football Focus.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | LB TJ Watt, Defensive Player of the Year |
He finished second to Garrett in DPOY voting last seasonWatt appears to be using this as fuel in 2024. Through eight games, he ranks seventh in the league in sacks (6.5) and first in forced fumbles (four). — Clark Dalton

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXAS | QB CJ Stroud, MVP | For the second year in a row, the defense has Houston in the lead for a second straight AFC South title. Stroud ranks seventh in the league in passing (1,948 yards) and has already won twice, with the second coming in Week 8.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Layatu Latu, Defensive Rookie of the Year | The 15th overall pick in the April 2024 NFL Draft ranks second on the Colts with 17 QB pressures, including two sacks. Latu also had two fumbles, a fumble recovery and a fumble recovery to add to his stat line in just eight games.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | WR Brian Thomas Jr. Offensive Rookie of the Year | The LSU product is one of the few bright spots in Jacksonville. Thomas has 33 receptions for 573 yards (17.4 yards per reception) and five touchdowns, all of which lead the Jaguars (2-6).

TENNESSEE TITANS | DB L’Jarius Snead, Defensive Player of the Year | Snead, who missed Week 8 with a quad injury, hasn’t been a problem during Tennessee’s 1-6 start. The two-time Super Bowl winner with the Chiefs was outstanding in coverage, allowing nine receptions on 21 targets (42.9 percent), per Pro Football Focus. — Eric Smithling