But where have Josh Allen’s detractors gone at the start of the season?
Published at 1:06 a.m. Updated at 7:00 a.m.
The Buffalo Bills can count on an impressive base of fans on this side of Niagara Falls. Favorites of many, thanks to geographic proximity, the Bills also have the luxury of being led by Josh Allen, one of the most talented quarterbacks of his generation.
Every year, however, Buffalo remains stuck one or two games away from the Super Bowl.
The harsh criticism of the 28-year-old general convinced a certain fan base that the Bills’ window had closed last year. Allen was said to be immature, making bad decisions and addicted to turnovers. This is partly true. Over the past five seasons, the center has thrown 59 interceptions, more than anyone in the NFL.
Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Allen’s two top targets, left during the offseason. Without help and surrounded by young players who have proven nothing in the NFL, the Bills quarterback is still excelling this season.
He boasts a record of five wins and two losses, 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions. Allen is playing like a candidate for season MVP. He plays like a quarterback motivated by the desire to silence his detractors. Finally, he shows us his true face.
A question of time
Chosen seventh overall in the 2018 draft, this alumnus of the modest University of Wyoming had everything to succeed. The size, the agility, the arm and the robustness.
Every year, defensive players talk about Allen as the toughest quarterback to knock down. Every year, when a mobile and powerful quarterback is about to make the jump to the pros, the point of reference remains the Bills’ number 17.
It was a matter of time before this natural phenomenon came to demonstrate its full potential. Josh Allen is currently experiencing the best moments of his career.
In his seventh season in Buffalo, his bosses finally made the necessary adjustments to allow him to perform. Starting with his offensive line. Name a good quarterback and we’ll name you a good offensive line.
Blockers Spencer Brown, 6’8″, 311 lbs, and Dion Dawkins, 6’5″, 320 lbs, now act as veterans on this unit.
In 2023, the Bills added two colossi to their roster. Left guard David Edwards, 6’6″, 308 lbs, formerly of the Rams. Then, Connor McGovern, 6’5″ and 318 lbs, a former Cowboys player. That same year, the Bills drafted 6’5″, 347 lb. right guard O’Cyrus Torrence in the second round.
PHOTO CHARLES KRUPA, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
David Edwards et Dion Dawkins
This brigade had to learn to evolve together last year. But this season, she doesn’t give anything. Allen suffered just nine sacks, the second-fewest total among quarterbacks who played in all of their team’s games. He is also the third center to have the most time to throw the ball.
This new protection has not distorted Allen, however. He is still as effective with his legs, but being able to take advantage of such a defense allows him to make better decisions instead of panicking. For the first time in his career, Allen averaged fewer than six carries per game.
Build
In recent years, the Bills have wanted to look good. However, it is not by being spectacular that champion teams manage to triumph. This is among other reasons why they showed the talented but disruptive Diggs the exit door. The team now prefers to win rather than shine.
Allen deserves the title of most valuable player for his team, because unlike his well-established counterparts at the top of the rankings, he is not supported by any receiver who is one of the big stars of this league.
Keon Coleman, the team’s No. 1 receiver, ranks 33rd in the NFL with 326 yards. One place ahead of AJ Brown, of the Philadelphia Eagles, in uniform for only three games since the start of the calendar.
PHOTO ADAM HUNGER, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Keon Coleman
The team’s general manager, Brandon Beane, preferred to build around his jewel by offering him an environment composed of young players who were more dynamic and capable of understanding their role. We never heard Coleman, Khalil Shakir or Dalton Kincaid balk because they weren’t targeted enough. We never saw them quarreling on the sidelines.
This group is young, so they make mistakes. Allen ranks sixth in the NFL in passing throws by his receivers. But the team wins, despite everything. So the quarterback not only became a better player, but also a better quarterback. Translation: he is capable of making his teammates produce and making his team win regardless of the circumstances. Like a big guy at number 12 who played in the same division as the Bills for almost 20 years.
The contribution of James Cook on the ground was also saving for the Bills. Finally, Allen no longer needs to be the team’s best running back. Now let’s see what impact, both short and long term, newcomer Amari Cooper will have.
One thing is certain, Josh Allen is a transformed man. In fact, this prospect who received no offers from college teams coming out of Firebaugh Public High School was always a diamond. And here he is finally polished.
We will now have to beat the Kansas City Chiefs or the Baltimore Ravens to know what this team is really capable of aspiring to.
