Stephen A. Smith makes a case for Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa to be in MVP conversation after week 1 heroics

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith made the case for Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Allen in the MVP conversation after their impressive performances in week 1.

Stephen A. Smith makes a case for Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa to be in MVP conversation after week 1 heroics

Stephen A. Smith makes a case for Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa to be in MVP conversation (Via Imago/The Nation)

The NFL season has begun, which means it’s officially time to start the MVP conversation. Looks like Stephen A. Smith already has some names leading the race as the opening week of the league ended. 

Recording 232 yards with two touchdowns, a quarterback rating of 89.9%, and zero interceptions, Josh Allen truly impressed the ESPN analyst, while leading the Buffalo Bills to a 34-28 victory against the Arizona Cardinals in week 1. But he isn’t the only one who stood out, the Miami Dolphins’ star Tua Tagovailoa also gave an impressive performance in their 20-17 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars and logged 23 out of 37 passes for 338 yards with 14.7 yards per completion. 

In the wake of their impressive performance in week 1, sports analyst Smith made the case for Tagovailoa and Allen in the MVP conversation, during the recent episode of First Take. Highlighting the capabilities of both the quarterback, he firmly believes they would remain in the MVP race by the end of the season, but he does have one concern about the Bills’ star. 

FS Video
I definitely think Tua [Tagovailoa] will be. I’m gonna say with [Josh] Allen because I think Allen is just a fantastic player. And I think my concern with Allen is his health because I think the positions that he’s been put in are a bit too risky when you know you’re piling into zone for those touchdowns. He got hit both times. You know when he leaped over one of the defenders– keep in mind– what if that guy had hit his knees?
Stephen A. Smith said

Although Smith expressed his concern over the precarious positions that the Bills’ signal-caller puts himself in to score, he applauded him for being an absolute “stud” for doing it. 

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Stephen A. Smith hinges Bills’ playoff chances on Josh Allen’s health

While talking about the two-time Pro Bowler, Smith firmly claimed that until Buffalo has quarterback Allen active on the field, their odds of having a winning season are great. However, considering the risks he is taking on the football field while relying on the young receiving corps they acquired this offseason, the Bills may fall apart if he gets injured. 

Josh Allen
Josh Allen (Via Imago)
I’m concerned about him being put in those positions, particularly with cats like [Gabe] Davis and Stefon Diggs now gone and him relying on a relatively young receiver, like this kid out of Florida State and what you have. I get all of that, but I’m just of the mindset that if he’s on the field healthy, the Bills are going to have something to say because he’s that big-time of a player.
Stephen A. Smith added
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After the Bills let go of star receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, they received huge backlash from fans and critics questioning their move. But the season-opening victory and the chemistry between Allen and his young receiving squad seem to have lit the ray of hope in the hearts of fans again.