Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player on Thursday, beating out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in one of the closest MVP races in years. Allen,

Josh Allen edged out Lamar Jackson again. Nearly three weeks after the Bills quarterback led Buffalo to a victory over the Ravens in the divisional round of the playoffs to end Baltimore’s season, Allen was named The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player for the first time Thursday night.

Allen, 28, is the third Bills player to win league MVP, joining Hall of Fame running backs Thurman Thomas (1991) and O.J. Simpson (1973). Bills fullback Cookie Gilchrist (1962) and quarterback Jack Kemp (1965) won league MVP honors during Buffalo's years in the AFL, which merged with the NFL after the 1969 season.