Josh Allen took a shotgun snap, moved up in the pocket, stepped back, rolled left, and threw right.
It was just another play, a 28-yard pass to James Cook, in another amazing performance by the potential NFL MVP.
Allen ran for two touchdowns in the first quarter and threw two more in the second half, helping the Buffalo Bills to a 48-42 win on Sunday. The victory ended the Detroit Lions’ franchise-record 11-game winning streak.
The dual-threat quarterback extended many plays, using his feet to find open receivers against a hurt defense that had to account for both his passing and running abilities.
“Scramble drills are one of our best plays,” Allen said. And he’s a big reason for that.
Allen completed 23 of 34 passes for 362 yards, a season-high, with touchdown passes to Khalil Shakir and Ray Davis. He ran 11 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns, one week after being the first NFL player to throw and run for three touchdowns in a regular-season game.
“He poses a huge issue,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said.
The 6-foot-5, 237-pound Allen extended a league record by throwing for multiple touchdowns and rushing for more than one score for the sixth time in his career.
The AFC East-champion Bills (11-3) have won eight of their last nine games, including a win against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
“It’s rare air up there with the best teams,” Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said. “That’s how we’re going to have to play every week moving forward.”
Jared Goff tied his career high with five touchdown passes for the NFC North-leading Lions (12-2). The loss gives Minnesota a chance to tie Detroit for the division lead with a win against Chicago on Monday night at home.
Buffalo extended its franchise record by scoring 30-plus points in its eighth straight game, becoming the first team since the 2013 Denver Broncos to achieve that feat. The Bills scored the most points against Detroit this season.
After a 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Bills weren’t as strong on defense in this game.
Goff’s fifth touchdown pass came with 12 seconds left, connecting with Jameson Williams for a 3-yard touchdown. But the Lions couldn’t recover the onside kick to set up a game-ending Hail Mary attempt.
The Bills became the second team in NFL history, after the 1966 New York Giants, to score 40-plus points and allow 40 or more points in consecutive games.
Allen’s dazzling skills made the difference in what could have been a Super Bowl preview.
He threw a 33-yard pass to Ty Johnson on his second snap and picked up another 24 yards on a third down with a pass to the former Lions running back. This set up a 1-yard sneak by Allen for a touchdown.
“We’re watching an incredible player play incredibly consistent,” McDermott said.
McDermott decided to go for it on fourth-and-2 from his 49-yard line, and Allen found Johnson wide open for a 31-yard catch, setting up James Cook’s 6-yard touchdown run to give the Bills a two-touchdown lead in the second quarter.
Campbell stayed aggressive on the next drive, going for it on fourth-and-4 from the Bills’ 46-yard line. Goff completed a 21-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, then threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Dan Skipper, who had been reported as an eligible receiver, pulling the Lions within one touchdown.
Just when it seemed like the Lions might be routed in the second half, Goff hit St. Brown for a 66-yard touchdown pass on third-and-17.
After Jahmyr Gibbs scored his first of two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter to bring Detroit within 10 points, Campbell called for an onside kick. Buffalo’s Mack Hollins returned it 38 yards, setting up another score for the Bills.
“Now we know where we stand against one of the AFC’s best teams,” Campbell said. “Today, that wasn’t good enough.”
