Josh Allen enjoys retelling the story of one of the NFL’s most memorable plays from the regular season. In Week 11, during a game against Kansas City, Allen made a critical mistake on a pre-snap call. He said, “The truth is, I was dead wrong on the alert” when facing a fourth-and-2 from the Kansas City 26, with Buffalo leading 23-21 and just over two minutes left in the game.
Allen had checked into a man-to-man play, but the Chiefs dropped into zone coverage, making the play less effective. “So I knew our play was probably not very good and I just tried to make a play. And that’s how it was,” he said.
The Play That Won the Game
It took Allen 14 seconds to execute a series of moves: he faked a pass to his left, turned, assessed the field, and sprinted to his right. He outran two defenders, avoided a tackle attempt by safety Nazeeh Johnson, was spun around by linebacker Nick Bolton, and finally braced for a hit from safety Bryan Cook as they both fell into the end zone.
CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz famously called it, “And there it is, the play of the year,” as Allen’s scramble sealed Buffalo’s 30-21 victory over the previously unbeaten Chiefs.
The Rise of Dual-Threat QBs
This season’s NFL conference championship games highlight the increasing importance of dual-threat quarterbacks. Allen will face Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship, while Jalen Hurts from Philadelphia will take on Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the NFC Championship. Together, these four quarterbacks rushed for 2,359 yards during the regular season.
Comparing Quarterback Rush Yards Over the Years
The rushing totals for quarterbacks in the conference title games have fluctuated over the years. In 2021, four quarterbacks combined for 593 rushing yards, while in 2014, the total was 1,448 yards. Thirty years ago, quarterbacks in the conference title games totaled just 354 rushing yards.
The Evolution of the Position
Matt Ryan, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and current CBS NFL analyst, believes that mobility is now a key part of a young quarterback’s skill set. “It’s the way the league has gone,” Ryan said. He explained that mobility has become essential for quarterbacks, and all four of the quarterbacks remaining in the playoffs are known for their ability to move and make plays with their legs.
Ryan also observed the change firsthand when Cam Newton entered the NFL in 2011. “The stress he put on our coaches and defensive players, I think that gets recognized,” Ryan said. As more quarterbacks with mobility enter the league, Ryan sees it as a natural progression for the position.
Jayden Daniels Sets Records in Washington
In Washington, Jayden Daniels made history by rushing for 891 yards in his rookie season, the most ever by a rookie quarterback. This surpassed the rushing totals of Cam Newton in 2011 and Robert Griffin III in 2012. Daniels said, “That’s just how the position is played,” emphasizing how mobility is now an integral part of the quarterback role.
Jalen Hurts’ Mobility in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, coach Nick Sirianni has witnessed Jalen Hurts use his mobility to help the Eagles win games, especially when the passing game is limited. In a 22-16 victory over Carolina in December, Hurts, limited to 108 yards passing, rushed for 59 yards, including a 35-yard run on third-and-9 that helped set up a touchdown. “He’s able to make plays in different ways. That’s a huge asset that he has as a quarterback,” Sirianni said.
Patrick Mahomes’ Adaptability
In Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes has shown he can do it all: from shovel passes to scrambling to avoid defenders. Though Mahomes is known as a dual-threat quarterback, his best rushing season was 366 yards in 2021.
Matt Ryan notes that Mahomes has adjusted his style to fit the team, focusing on making smart plays rather than forcing things. “When it’s time to make a play, he is going to do it,” Ryan said. “And I think he’s more dangerous now than he was in 2019.”
Allen’s Power and Physicality
The Chiefs recognize the challenge that Allen poses, especially with his combination of speed, size, and arm strength. “The guy is built like a factory, can run the ball well, has a cannon for an arm, can launch the ball 60 yards downfield whenever he needs to,” said Chiefs safety Justin Reid.
Allen’s evolution as a quarterback reflects the increasing athleticism of the position, which has mirrored the rise of faster and stronger defensive linemen in the NFL.
The Changing Nature of Quarterbacks
For Allen, the rise of dual-threat quarterbacks reflects the evolution of the NFL as a whole. He believes quarterbacks are now among the best athletes on the field, rather than wide receivers, as it was in the past. Allen himself began as a running back before convincing his Pop Warner coach to let him play quarterback.
“I wanted to be a quarterback so bad that any time I got the ball, I would throw it back, until my coach said, ‘Hey, you got a good arm. Do you want to play quarterback?’” Allen recalled. “And I was like, ‘Thank you. Finally.’”
