Who are Josh Allen and Patrick Surtain II?

Josh Allen is the reigning MVP quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, and Patrick Surtain II is the Defensive Player of the Year for the Denver Broncos.

How rare is an MVP vs. DPOY playoff game?

It is a rare occurrence, with this Bills vs. Broncos game being only the fifth such playoff matchup in NFL history.

What is the historical record for MVP vs. DPOY playoff games?

The series was tied 2-2 before the 2024 game, where MVPs now lead 4-1 against DPOYs in playoff contests.

Home / Sports / MVP vs. DPOY: Allen vs. Surtain Playoff Rematch

MVP vs. DPOY: Allen vs. Surtain Playoff Rematch

17 Jan

•

Summary

Elite MVP and DPOY winners have a 2-2 playoff series record.
Josh Allen's Bills faced Patrick Surtain's Broncos in 2024.
History suggests MVP winners hold a playoff advantage.

MVP vs. DPOY: Allen vs. Surtain Playoff Rematch

The NFL playoffs present a rare divisional-round matchup featuring Josh Allen and Patrick Surtain II, two of the league's premier players. This game is only the fifth postseason contest between reigning league MVPs and Defensive Players of the Year. Historically, these elite clashes are split 2-2, with the most recent being Super Bowl LVIII.

Previous MVP-DPOY playoff encounters include Tom Brady's Patriots over Aaron Donald's Rams and Brian Urlacher's Bears over Shaun Alexander's Seahawks. In the 2024 playoffs, Josh Allen's Bills defeated Patrick Surtain's Broncos, tipping the scales with MVP winners now holding a 4-1 advantage in playoff games against current-season DPOYs.

Other notable MVP victories in these rare matchups include Aaron Rodgers, Kurt Warner, and Brett Favre. The sole DPOY win came when Derrick Brooks' Buccaneers bested Rich Gannon's Raiders. Going into their next contest, history suggests Allen favors his chances against Surtain.