Lamar Jackson jogs to the sidelines in the 4th quarter
Lamar Jackson from Baltimore, Josh Allen from Buffalo, and Jayden Daniels from Washington will not participate in the Pro Bowl Games this week.
The NFL announced its final rosters on Tuesday, and none of these quarterbacks were included. Drake Maye, a rookie from the New England Patriots, will replace Jackson for the AFC, while Russell Wilson from Pittsburgh will take Allen’s spot. Baker Mayfield from Tampa Bay will replace Daniels.
Allen and Daniels lost in their respective conference championship games last weekend, and Jackson’s season ended the previous week in the divisional round. Both Allen and Jackson are considered MVP favorites.
There were additional roster changes as well.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook and center Connor McGovern were also named as replacements.
Cook will replace Baltimore’s Derrick Henry, who ran for 1,921 yards, ranking second in the NFL. Cook had 1,009 rushing yards and tied Henry and Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Josh Allen hands off to James Cook in the 1st half
McGovern will fill in for Kansas City center Creed Humphrey, as the Chiefs are heading to the Super Bowl to play Philadelphia on Feb. 9 after defeating Buffalo on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo will make his first Pro Bowl appearance, replacing Kansas City’s Trey Smith.
Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will join Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon as the third Seahawks player at the Pro Bowl. He will replace Washington’s Terry McLaurin.
The Pro Bowl Games will take place from Thursday to Sunday in Orlando, Florida, and will include skills competitions and a flag football game.
Chiefs Host Bills in AFC Championship Rematch as Mahomes-Allen Rivalry Intensifies (NFL)
The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium for the AFC Championship on Sunday. This game is a rematch of previous playoff clashes between two dominant teams. The Chiefs secured their spot by defeating the Houston Texans 23-14, while the Bills edged out the Baltimore Ravens 27-25. With only four teams left in the NFL playoffs, this showdown is highly anticipated, drawing attention to the rivalry between quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
Rivalry Between Mahomes and Allen Continues
Sunday’s game marks the fourth playoff encounter between Mahomes and Allen, with the Chiefs winning all three prior matchups, including the 2020 AFC Championship. In regular-season play, Allen has a 4-1 record against Mahomes, but Mahomes remains undefeated in postseason encounters. Notably, the Bills handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season in Week 11 with a 30-21 victory. The quarterback rivalry echoes historic matchups like Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning, who faced each other five times in the playoffs.
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes (NFL)
Fans attending the game can expect a full day of activities at Arrowhead Stadium. Parking lots open at 1:00 p.m., with gates and tailgating areas opening shortly after. Halftime will feature a performance by Big and Rich, enhancing the excitement. The game itself kicks off at 5:40 p.m., with introductions, the national anthem, and the coin toss preceding it. Fans should plan ahead to ensure a smooth experience, including securing tickets and parking passes in advance.
Ticketing and Cashless Policies for Fans
Tickets for the game remain available through platforms like Ticketmaster and third-party sellers. Prices start at $245 for upper-level seats, while lower-bowl tickets begin at $360. Arrowhead Stadium is entirely cashless, so fans must use credit/debit cards or digital payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. This policy extends to concession stands and retail stores, simplifying transactions throughout the venue.
The weather in Kansas City will be cold on Sunday, with afternoon temperatures near freezing and wind chills in the mid-20s. By kickoff, temperatures will hover around 30 degrees under clearing skies, continuing to drop during the game. Fans should prepare for the cold conditions, dressing warmly to enjoy this high-stakes matchup in comfort. Despite the chill, the atmosphere at Arrowhead promises to be electric.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ offensive approach, which was successful during the regular season, continued to dominate in their playoff opener.
Whether it was Allen completing a 24-yard touchdown pass to running back Ty Johnson on fourth down, or James Cook rushing for 120 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run, the Bills displayed a balanced offense in a 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in their wild-card playoff game on Sunday.
“I don’t think there was one certain thing over another. We just wanted to come out and execute well,” Allen said. “At the end of the day, we just wanted to come out and play our best football, and I feel like we did that today.”
Allen completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while the running game contributed 210 yards, allowing Buffalo to control the game. The Bills scored on six of their first seven drives and had a 23-minute advantage in time of possession.
Allen completed passes to eight players, including Curtis Samuel, who essentially sealed the win with a 55-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth quarter.
“I’ll speak on behalf of Curtis. He probably didn’t have the season that he wanted to have,” Allen said about the eighth-year player, who had 31 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown during the regular season.
Bo Nix runs with the ball in the 2nd quarter
“But he just continued to work hard, and that’s kind of the mentality we’ve had all year is everybody eats. And today was his day.”
The Bills, who have won the AFC East five years in a row, advanced to the divisional round for the fifth straight season. They will face the third-seeded Baltimore Ravens next Sunday night.
The Ravens, who won 28-14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, defeated Buffalo 35-10 in Week 4 of this season. It will be the second playoff matchup between Allen and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, following Buffalo’s 17-3 win in the 2020 divisional round.
“This is what everyone’s been waiting for, right?” said coach Sean McDermott. “So it’ll be a nice week and everyone will be looking forward to it, and they’re a great football team. I mean they handled us pretty good the first go around and they’re certainly playing well.”
The Broncos, who made their first playoff appearance since winning the Super Bowl in 2015, struggled after rookie Bo Nix threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to former college teammate Troy Franklin on the opening drive. Nix finished 13 of 22 for 144 yards as the Broncos punted four times and turned the ball over on downs twice.
“This was a special moment for this group. It’s something we can build off of. … Our goals are changing,” Nix said.
Buffalo’s offense, led by Allen, kept Denver’s defense in check, using time-consuming drives that focused on small yard gains. Despite Denver’s defense having an NFL-high 63 sacks this season, they only managed to sack Allen twice. The Bills punted just once in the game.
“Who got punched in the mouth?” Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau asked, dismissing the Broncos’ early touchdown. “It really was just a message to ourselves. We know who we are week after week, and what we’re capable of and what we’re supposed to do out there. That’s what it’s all about.”
Josh Allen motions for the 1st down in the 1st quarter
The Bills didn’t force any turnovers, but they kept the Broncos to just two third-down conversions on nine attempts.
One of the key plays came from Cam Lewis, who made a diving tackle to stop running back Jaleel McLaughlin for no gain on fourth-and-2 at the Buffalo 14 early in the fourth quarter.
With the Bills leading 13-7, Allen extended their lead with a touchdown pass to Johnson with 3:06 left in the third quarter. The touchdown was confirmed after a replay review, showing that Johnson secured the ball before his foot touched out of bounds.
“You tell me it’s complete, I’m going to sign up for it every week,” McDermott said. “You guys know that. I trust him and I believe in him.”
On the next drive, Allen threw another touchdown pass to Samuel.
Cook became the first Buffalo player to rush for over 100 yards in a playoff game since Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas ran for 158 yards in the 1995 wild-card playoff win over Miami. Allen also set a franchise record for playoff passing touchdowns, increasing his total to 23, surpassing the previous record of 21 held by Jim Kelly.
Lamar Jackson speaks to the reporters after the game
Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen won’t be about deciding the NFL MVP next week.
The real stakes are much higher, with a spot in the AFC Championship game up for grabs.
Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens (13-5) will face Allen and the Buffalo Bills (14-4) in the divisional round. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (15-2), the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, will host C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans (11-7).
The winners will meet on January 26 for a chance to reach the Super Bowl.
The Bills secured their spot with a 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, while the Ravens advanced with a 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. The Texans triumphed 32-12 against the Chargers in the first game of wild-card weekend. The Chiefs got a bye after earning the No. 1 seed.
The AFC divisional matchups were decided before the NFC games kicked off.
On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 22-10 to move on to the divisional round. They will play the winner of the Vikings-Rams game at home, with Minnesota facing Los Angeles on Monday night in Arizona.
The Washington Commanders became the first road team to win in this year’s playoffs, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on Sunday night. The Commanders (13-5) will now take on the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions (15-2).
Josh Allen passes in the 1st half
Jackson edged Allen for the Associated Press All-Pro Team, earning 30 of 50 first-place votes from a nationwide media panel. Allen received 18 first-place votes, which earned him second-team All-Pro honors.
The last time an MVP winner didn’t make first-team All-Pro was in 2003, when Steve McNair and Peyton Manning shared the MVP award. Manning, however, earned All-Pro honors over McNair.
The only other time this happened was in 1987 when John Elway won the MVP while Joe Montana received All-Pro honors. Elway secured 36 MVP votes, with Montana receiving 18 and Jerry Rice finishing second with 30 votes.
Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh. He also ran for 81 yards on 15 carries.
Allen was 20 of 26 for 272 yards and two touchdowns against Denver. He also ran for 46 yards.
The two teams met in Baltimore during Week 4, where the Ravens dominated the Bills 35-10.
This will be the second time in recent history that the final four teams from a conference return for consecutive seasons. Last year, the Chiefs defeated the Bills and the Ravens beat the Texans. The previous occurrence was in 2011-12 when the Texans, Patriots, Ravens, and Broncos reached the divisional round in consecutive years.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Bills to a 48-42 victory over the Detroit Lions, who are leading the NFC, on Sunday afternoon.
This marks Allen’s third Offensive Player of the Week award this season, bringing his career total to 14.
Allen and the Bills ended the Lions’ 11-game winning streak. He threw for 362 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also rushing for 68 yards and 2 more touchdowns.
“The mindset we had this week was win every play,” Allen said. “Whatever the play was, find a way to execute it at the highest level. We were just focused on the next one and guys made really good plays in there.”
He also became the first player in NFL history to record multiple passing touchdowns, multiple rushing touchdowns, 350+ passing yards, and 60+ rushing yards in the same game (including playoffs).
Allen added to his record-breaking performance by becoming the first player in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns in consecutive games. He is also the first player ever to have three such games in a season.
Josh Allen celebrates after scoring in the 1st half
He tied Patrick Mahomes (74 wins) for the second-most regular-season wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL history.
With his two rushing touchdowns, Allen raised his career rushing touchdown total to 64, now just one behind Thurman Thomas (65) for the most rushing touchdowns in team history.
The Bills were ahead by two scores at halftime and began the second half with a touchdown drive, extending their lead to three scores.
“We felt like that was one of the ways to beat these guys is you’ve got to score points, that’s what our mindset was,” Allen said. “If we had to score 21 to win, we would’ve tried to score 21. But we’re going out there each and every drive… Our guys did a good job of winning the play today.”
As the game neared its end and the Lions closed the gap to within 10 points, Allen made important plays with both his arm and his legs to keep the clock moving.
“He’s as special as they come,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady said. “With Josh Allen playing quarterback, he does things that the game doesn’t see… Calling plays for a guy like Josh… he’s locked in.
He gets the game. He’s prepared… He understands that the only thing he cares about is finding ways to win football games. I think our team kind of embodies that as well because of him.”
The Buffalo Bills are set to finish the season with 13 players having caught a touchdown pass, and they’re aiming for more. Last week, practice squad call-up Tyrell Shavers made his first career catch a memorable one by scoring a touchdown in a 40-14 win over the New York Jets.
This marked the Bills as the ninth team in NFL history with 13 players catching a touchdown in a single season.
With the Bills already locked into the AFC’s No. 2 seed, and planning to rest many of their starters in the season finale against the New England Patriots, there’s a chance to set a new record.
“Absolutely, I’ve thought about it,” fullback Reggie Gilliam said after practice on Wednesday. “I was telling Jalen Virgil that we’re the last ones.”
However, Gilliam is the only skill player on the active roster yet to catch a touchdown pass. Virgil, a practice squad receiver, is also yet to score. Other players, including running back Frank Gore Jr. and tight end Zach Davidson, could have the chance to join the group, as well as backup offensive tackle Alec Anderson, who sometimes plays as an eligible receiver.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game
“That would be awesome,” Anderson said. “I’m not going to be sitting here crying for it. But if my opportunity arises, I think I’ll take advantage of it.”
Whether or not the Bills break the record, the focus remains on their team-first mentality. The “everybody eats” mindset, introduced by offensive coordinator Joe Brady in May, reflects the selflessness the team has embraced.
It originated out of necessity after Buffalo traded top receiver Stefon Diggs and lost Gabe Davis to free agency, leaving questions about who would step up to replace their production.
These concerns have faded away as the Bills have set new records for most points (509) and touchdowns (63) in a season, all without a player surpassing 1,000 yards receiving or rushing.
“Put the ball down and play. We got a lot of guys that can make the plays, so when given opportunities, they make them,” rookie receiver Keon Coleman said. “It says a lot about the unselfishness in the guys that we have here.”
Four players have caught four or more touchdown passes, with Mack Hollins leading the way with five. Quarterback Josh Allen also made the list after catching a touchdown off a lateral pass.
Every player who has caught a pass this season has scored a touchdown, except for tight end Zach Davidson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was released in October.
“Everybody eats has such a deeper meaning as far as the guys got to care for one another,” receiver Khalil Shakir said.
“You might only have 10 yards this game, but Keon has 100, but I’m going to go and make sure to block for him,” Shakir added. “And when you’ve got a team playing for each other like that, I don’t think there’s anything that beats it.”
Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen before the game
Buffalo is the only team to have 13 players catch a touchdown pass in a season twice, having also done so in 2020. Of the eight teams before them, only two missed the playoffs, and five made it to the conference championship game, including the 2016 Falcons and the 2019 49ers, both of whom lost in the Super Bowl.
“The team is bigger than any one person, and we want everybody to have success,” Brady said. “We were putting an offense together that was going to be able to find different ways to win football games.
And when you’ve got the best player in football at quarterback, he makes it all go. And when you got a lot of selfless guys around, you’re able to do those things … you know, the everybody eats mindset.”
Shavers, after his 69-yard touchdown, felt the love of the team. “It shows that there’s no selfish people on this team. Everybody just wants to win,” he said.
When asked who could become the 14th player to catch a touchdown pass, Shavers simply replied, “Ain’t no telling. It could be anybody really.”
Josh Allen’s recent kneel-down wasn’t for football.
The Buffalo Bills quarterback and actress Hailee Steinfeld shared a photo on Instagram on Friday—Steinfeld has 20.3 million followers, while Allen has 1.3 million—showing Allen on one knee proposing marriage. The photo was taken on a grassy ridge overlooking water, with candles surrounding them and a large flower-covered arch framing the scene.
The NFL shared the image on X to congratulate the couple, ending with a ring and heart emoji.
The proposal likely took place on the California coastline, where Allen stays during the offseason. It probably happened sometime last week, during the Bills’ bye week.
Allen didn’t mention the engagement during his weekly press conference on Wednesday, as the AFC East-leading Bills (9-2) prepared to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. However, he smiled when asked how his bye week went.
“Fantastic. It was great. Got some sun. Hung out with family. It was fantastic,” he said.
Allen and Steinfeld were first seen together in the spring of 2023 when they were photographed having dinner in New York City. A few months later, Allen confirmed they were dating, but asked The Associated Press not to name Steinfeld to keep their relationship private.
Josh Allen looks to pass in the 1st half
Steinfeld has since attended Bills’ home games, and the couple hosted a Halloween party this fall.
Steinfeld, 27, is from Los Angeles and started acting at age 10. She was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in “True Grit” (2010) and earned a Golden Globe nomination for “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016). Her other work includes “Bumblebee,” “Dickinson,” and Marvel’s “Hawkeye,” along with voice roles in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and its sequel.
After performing in “Pitch Perfect 2” (2015), Steinfeld also began a music career, releasing singles and two EPs, including “Half Written Story” in 2020.
Allen, 28, has become one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. Since being drafted by Buffalo in 2018 out of Wyoming, he has set many of the team’s passing and scoring records.
Following the Buffalo Bills’ showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, Josh Allen emerged as a prominent leader. In the wake of Tyler Bass’s missed game-tying field goal, Allen refrained from pointing fingers and emphasized that victory demanded a collective team effort.
According to Allen, the defeat wasn’t solely attributed to the missed kick; it represented a shared responsibility.
The Buffalo Bills’ aspirations for victory were thwarted when kicker Tyler Bass failed to convert a crucial game-tying kick late in the fourth quarter.
The wayward kick ultimately cleared the path for the Kansas City Chiefs to secure a 27-24 triumph on the road. Nevertheless, Allen did not lay blame on Bass.
Josh Allen Stands by Tyler Bass After Missed Field Goal Concludes Bills’ Super Bowl Campaign against Chiefs (Credits: WROC TV)
Josh Allen skillfully led the Bills down the field in a poised attempt to secure the lead. However, the Chiefs’ defense executed a pivotal play on third-and-9, compelling an incompletion.
This shifted the focus to Bills’ placekicker Tyler Bass, preparing for a 44-yard field goal attempt. As the kick soared, hope lingered in the air, only to be shattered as it veered right, leaving home fans in disbelief.
In the aftermath of the loss to Kansas City in the Divisional Round, Josh Allen faced the media. The 27-year-old quarterback acknowledged that “losing s*cks,” but he also admitted to shortcomings in his pocket movement and a couple of “bad checks.”
The Chiefs seized the opportunity, running down the clock and bringing an end to the Bills’ playoff run. Despite the setback, Allen did not dwell extensively on Bass’s missed kick.
When questioned about Tyler Bass, he expressed, “I wish it wouldn’t have been put in that situation. You win as a team, you lose as a team.” Furthermore, he added, “One play doesn’t define a game, it doesn’t define a season.
People are going to be out there saying that. We got to be there for him because, again, we executed a couple of plays prior, and you’re probably seeing a different team right now.”
Allen comprehends that placing the blame solely on one player will yield no positive outcome.
As a leader, he recognizes that the entire team faces a setback due to a collective mistake, and it’s never the result of just one missed play. What are your thoughts about this? Stay tuned for more!
The Buffalo Bills faced an early challenge from the Los Angeles Chargers, trailing 10-0 in what seemed like a potential upset during the first quarter. However, Buffalo swiftly turned the tide, mounting a comeback highlighted by a lengthy Gabe Davis touchdown. The first half concluded with quarterback Josh Allen orchestrating a crucial drive, culminating in his two-yard rushing touchdown, propelling the Bills to a 14-10 lead.
This scoring play marked Allen’s second rushing touchdown of the game, elevating his rushing yardage to eight for the night and surpassing 400 yards for the season. Notably, it was his 12th rushing touchdown of the season, placing him just one score away from a remarkable milestone of 40 total touchdowns in four consecutive seasons—a feat yet to be achieved by any other player.
Josh Allen (Credits: WIVB)
Allen’s first-half performance showcased efficiency, completing seven of 11 attempts for 124 yards without succumbing to a sack or interception. This conservative approach was sensible against a struggling Chargers team, especially with a backup quarterback in play. While Los Angeles’ vulnerable secondary provided opportunities, the Bills capitalized on a successful run game, with James Cook recording eight carries for 37 yards and veteran Leonard Fournette making his season debut with three attempts.
Although the challenge posed by the Chargers was more formidable than anticipated, the Bills regrouped, regaining control and redirecting their playoff aspirations back on course. As the second half approaches, it is expected that Allen will continue to build on his impressive MVP campaign, leveraging both his passing prowess and rushing abilities to extend Buffalo’s lead.
After taking time to reflect on his emotional outburst towards officials and his postgame interaction with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes expresses regret for his actions.
The incident unfolded on Sunday when an offside call on Chiefs receiver Kadarius Toney nullified what could have been a decisive touchdown in the final two minutes. Toney’s 49-yard touchdown, following a cross-field lateral from Travis Kelce, was negated, leading to Mahomes throwing incomplete on three consecutive plays. Ultimately, the Bills secured a 20-17 victory by running out the clock.
Patrick Mahomes (Credits: Fox Sports)
Mahomes, visibly upset, directed his frustration at the officials during the closing moments of the game. Reflecting on the incident, Mahomes admitted, “Obviously, you don’t want to react that way; I mean, I care, man. I love this game, and I love my teammates.” In an interview with 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City on Monday, he acknowledged that such behavior is unacceptable, stating, “You can’t be that way toward officials or really anybody in life.”
The quarterback also expressed remorse for his postgame comments directed at Josh Allen, acknowledging that Allen had no involvement in the officiating decision. A camera from WROC-TV captured Mahomes telling Allen, “Wildest f—ing call I’ve ever seen. Offensive offsides on that play, man. F—ing terrible.” Mahomes admitted, “I was still hot and emotional, but you can’t do that. It’s not a great example for kids watching the game.”
Despite initially questioning the officiating during the game, Mahomes admitted on Monday that, upon reviewing the play, the call was correct. He acknowledged the rarity of such calls in the NFL but emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and striving to improve.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid, addressing the situation earlier on Monday, mentioned that Toney failed to check with the sideline official to ensure correct alignment. Reid’s coaching advice to Toney for the future is to double-check and confirm alignment with the sideline official to avoid such situations.
Regarding potential consequences from the NFL for his actions and comments, Mahomes stated on Monday that he is prepared to accept any punishment that may be imposed, emphasizing his commitment to being accountable for his actions. He concluded, “You have to accept the consequences of your actions, and that’s something that I’ve always stood by.”
The Buffalo Bills’ recent decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey carries a deeply personal weight for quarterback Josh Allen. Their professional relationship began in 2019 when Dorsey served as the team’s quarterbacks coach. Following the playoff defeat by the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2022, Allen actively advocated for Dorsey to assume the role of offensive coordinator.
However, after the team’s recent loss to the Denver Broncos, which brought their record to 5-5, head coach Sean McDermott decided to terminate Dorsey’s position. This marks the team’s lowest winning percentage since 2018, when they finished 6-10. Heading into Week 11 against the New York Jets, the Bills find themselves outside the playoff picture, a stark contrast to their initial encounter with the Jets in Week 1.
Josh Allen (Credits: Albany Herald)
Expressing his sentiments, Allen emphasized that had the team performed better, Dorsey would still be a part of the coaching staff. Allen acknowledged the personal toll of witnessing someone he cares about go through such a situation, attributing the decision to a series of unfortunate events. Despite the emotional impact, Allen stressed the need to focus on the upcoming game against the Jets and not dwell excessively on recent developments.
The Bills were close to a victory against the Broncos, but a penalty for having 12 men on the field nullified a missed field goal, allowing Denver another attempt that ultimately led to a 24-22 defeat. McDermott justified Dorsey’s dismissal based on the overall performance throughout the season, appointing quarterbacks coach Joe Brady as the interim offensive coordinator.
In a conversation with McDermott, Allen expressed his admiration for Dorsey as a person and credited him for much of his career success. Reflecting on the situation, Allen acknowledged that a more cohesive team performance might have prevented such a decision. The Bills’ offense has fallen below expectations this season, showing predictability, particularly since Week 5. During this period, the team’s record is 2-4, averaging only 20.5 points per game compared to 34.8 in the initial four weeks.
Turnovers per drive have also increased from 12% to 21%, with Allen leading the league with 14 turnovers. Slow starts, especially since Week 5, have been a significant concern, with the Bills outscoring only the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants in the first half. Despite the challenges, Allen expressed confidence in interim coordinator Joe Brady, whom he has closely collaborated with since his hiring in 2022.
With the season reaching a critical juncture, Allen emphasized the urgency to turn things around, acknowledging the limited room for error in the pursuit of playoff contention.
Josh Allen expressed his disbelief at the referees flagging him for intentional grounding during the Bills’ 24-18 road loss to the Bengals on Sunday night. Immediately after the call was made, Allen vehemently argued against it and seized the opportunity to voice his displeasure during the postgame press conference, saying, “I’ve never seen that call in my life.”
The situation unfolded when the Bills faced a third-and-6 at the Bengals’ 38-yard-line with just 28 seconds remaining in the first half. Allen targeted receiver Gabe Davis, who had the option to either sit or go deep. Allen anticipated Davis going deep, but the receiver unexpectedly came to a halt. Although Allen was under only minimal pressure, he threw the ball toward the goal line, resulting in an out-of-bounds pass with no intended receiver in the vicinity.
Josh Allen (Credits: The Sports Rush)
Subsequently, the referees penalized Allen with intentional grounding, pushing the Bills out of scoring range. While a 56-yard field goal is far from a guaranteed success, the Bills were eager for the opportunity. Allen defended his decision, stating, “I wasn’t pressured. They decided to make that call and, unfortunately, didn’t allow us to get points there. I wouldn’t do anything different. I’m expecting him to run a go, and he made the read to stop.”
The Bills commenced the second half with a field goal, and Allen believed that scoring on back-to-back drives could have made a significant difference in the outcome of the game. Allen’s overall performance for the night included completing 26 of 38 passes for 258 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, in addition to contributing 44 rushing yards and one rushing score. With this loss, Buffalo’s record now stands at 5-4, having lost three of its last five games.
Reflecting on the game, Allen emphasized the impact of the intentional grounding call, saying, “It’s a huge swing. Whether it’s three or six coming out of the half, scoring on back-to-back drives and getting yourself some momentum, that’s huge in a game, especially against a good team like we just played.”
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Allen remained optimistic about the team’s unity and resolve, stating, “It stings, losing is never fun, losing sucks. If one thing, though, we’re not going to let this divide us. We’re going to come together, and we’re going to figure it out. I got a lot of faith in the men in this locker room and this coaching staff and the men around me.”
