If the Packers & Bills beat the Lions in the next two weeks, then Barkley could effectively sit out Week 18. If he’s already at 2,000 yards after 16 games there is your MVP. I have no qualms with that logic.
But if the Bills beat the Lions and the Lions finish as the 1 seed, then one can argue Allen is the betting favorite.
Certainly record matters as Lamar has all but fallen out of the top 3, and Burrow is having a career year yet sits at 4-8. Stats matter, but winning matters most.
In the context of 2,000 yard rushers Barkley achieving this milestone after game 16 looks lesser of a feat than those who rushed for 2,000 in a 16 or 14 game season. OJ ran for 2,000 for a team that didn’t even make the playoffs. Barkley rushing for 2,000 yards and not even being his teams leading touchdown rusher also is a knock.