A split second before a pass rusher might have taken him down, Josh Allen unleashed a pass that would help change the complexion of his team’s season.
Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback who used to be a star in the Mountain West at Wyoming, was trying to lead his team to a win over the Dolphins this past weekend.
Allen had thrown an interception in the first quarter in Miami’s end zone – which was way off target. In fact, he threw two picks in the first quarter alone. He also led the Bills downfield later in the third quarter but then fumbled.
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All of that potentially cost his team points. But he also made critical plays when his team needed them the most.
The Bills and Dolphins, vying for the AFC East crown and the second seed in the playoffs, were tied at 14 when Buffalo had the ball at Miami’s 31-yard line on second and 6 with 8 minutes, 37 seconds remaining. The Dolphins rushed Allen with four defenders, and one nearly hit him before he released his throw.
But the ball found its intended target. Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, another former Mountain West player who used to play at Boise State, had run a wheel route and outrun a defender along the right sideline. The ball landed precisely in his hands before he was pushed out of bounds inside Miami’s 5-yard line.
That set up Allen’s go-ahead touchdown pass to Dawson Knox, which was all the Bills needed to hang on for a victory.
Afterward, Allen said the game was a microcosm of his team’s season. He’s not wrong.
For all the mistakes Allen and the Bills have made, they are in prime position once again to contend for a Super Bowl.
Josh Allen’s College Football Career Prepared Him For Pro Ranks
Before Allen was the face of the Bills’ franchise and one of the highest-paid players in the NFL, he was one of the best quarterbacks Wyoming has ever seen.
From 2016-17, Allen threw for 5,015 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions on a 56% completion rate. He also ran for 767 yards and 12 touchdowns on 234 carries.
He made the All-Mountain West team twice before being selected seventh overall by the Bills in 2018.
Josh Allen, Bills Turning Season Around
Though Allen has been one of the most successful quarterbacks in the NFL since he was drafted, his career hasn’t been without setbacks. This year was no exception.
The Bills opened the season with a loss to the Jets, and Allen threw three interceptions with one touchdown in that game. Buffalo won its next three contests but then lost five of its next eight.
However, the Bills go into the playoffs having won their last five games. Now as the No. 2 seed in the AFC, they host the Steelers in the wild-card round of the playoffs at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Allen may not have been heavily involved in the MVP conversation, but he certainly did help the Bills get back on track. He was fourth in the league with 4,306 passing yards and tied for fifth with 29 touchdown passes while throwing 18 picks.
He was also 10th among qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage above expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
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Josh Allen’s Stats Highlight Aggressiveness
Allen is known for his aggressive mentality, and he continued to push the ball down the field in 2023.
He was top 10 in the NFL with an average depth of target at 8.9 yards. He was second in the league with 37 big time throws, as defined by Pro Football Focus, but he was also tied for the 10th-most turnover worthy plays.
He was second in the league with 76 passing attempts 20-plus yards down the field. He was 28 of 76 for 933 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions on such throws.
But what’s remarkable is his success while on the run. Most everyone knows Allen is a dual-threat quarterback, but this year most of his highlight throws occurred when he was either on the run out of the pocket or at the very least moving around and buying time in the pocket.
Allen scrambled 50 times during the regular season, which was third in the NFL behind only Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. And when he bought himself more time, Allen thrived.
Allen was sixth in PFF’s grades among NFL quarterbacks when they had 2.5 seconds or more to throw. In such situations, he leads the league in first downs gained.
He was also fourth among all quarterbacks with 524 rushing yards and tied for second in the league among all players with 15 rushing touchdowns.
Allen’s mobility was crucial during the final seconds of the Bills’ latest contest against the Dolphins.
On third and 13, as the Bills were trying to preserve a 21-14 lead with 3:12 remaining, Allen started a play in a shotgun formation. He barely concluded dropping back until he found a gap at the line and took off.
He first outran a tackle attempt by one defender. Then he remained upright after another tried to take him down. He finished the play by bouncing off two more defenders two yards before the line to gain and diving for a first down, helping his team hold onto a victory.
Allen’s ambitiousness has benefited him. But it’s also hindered him and the Bills at times.
If he can harness it in the correct ways for the next month, which is far from a guarantee, the former Wyoming signal caller has a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
