It seems like Josh Allen just keeps getting talked about. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but he's always a topic of conversation.
That's probably from the duality that comes with his play style – a quarterback capable of doing more than just about anyone, with a fearlessness that drives him to try things that he sometimes shouldn't.
It's that very fearlessness that makes him so great.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic posted an article providing intel on all 32 NFL teams. Here's what Howe had to say about Allen and the perception of him around the league:
Following the release of an anonymous poll of NFL players, there was some debate last week over whether quarterback Josh Allen may be overrated. That certainly isn’t a debate among the many league executives and coaches I’ve spoken with. He is still largely considered the second-best QB in the NFL behind only Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes .
The anonymous poll of 103 players he's referencing was conducted by ESPN. In that poll, players were asked to rank their top-three quarterbacks, and the votes were weighted. A player that got a first place vote received three points, a second place vote got two points, and a third place vote got one point.
The results had Mahomes first (291 points), Lamar Jackson second (124 points), and Joe Burrow third (51 points). Allen was fourth (39 points.)
The same poll also asked players to rank the most overrated quarterbacks. Allen received the most votes with 11, and Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa were tied for second with 10.
Again – duality.
Some players think Allen is elite. Others think he's overrated. And it's always the same reasons.
He's loved for his ability to throw the ball in places where few can, and the physicality and willpower to run through a defender if it's needed. He's knocked and called "overrated" because of the turnovers.
Over the last three seasons, Allen leads the NFL in combined passing and rushing touchdowns with 128, which is 17 more than Mahomes at No. 2. Allen also plays his best when it matters most.
Allen has played in 10 playoff games, during which he has averaged 272.3 passing yards per game, has thrown for 21 touchdowns, while throwing only four interceptions. Allen also ups his rushing output in the playoffs, averaging 56.3 rushing yards per game in the postseason, while adding five touchdowns on the ground.
If you're doing the math, Allen averages 328.6 total yards and 2.6 total touchdowns per playoff game.
In the 2021 AFC Championship game, Allen and Mahomes had a duel for the ages. Allen completed 27 of 37 passes (72.9%) for 329 passing yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also ran for 68 yards, bringing his total on the day to 397. Allen's defense let him down, allowing Mahomes to receive a kickoff and get into field goal range in only 13 second. Then, because of a coin flip, Allen never saw the ball in overtime. Mahomes got it and scored, sending Buffalo home.
Last year, in a playoff rematch in the Divisional Round, Allen didn't blow the door off with the passing yards, but he completed 66.7% of his passes for 186 yards, one touchdown, and again zero interceptions. Where he shined was rushing for 72 yards, punching in two touchdowns on the ground. Driving for a chance to tie the game, Buffalo's kicker, Tyler Bass, missed a 44-yard field goal with 1:47 remaining. Mahomes got the ball, they picked up a first down on the ground, and ran out the clock.
So yes, Allen is elite. Unfortunately he plays in the same conference, at the same time, as arguably the greatest quarterback to ever live. Hopefully someday Allen will be able to get past Mahomes and the Chiefs and bring the long-awaited Super Bowl victory to Western New York.
Related: Bills roster cuts tracker 2024: Here is every move Buffalo has made on their way to trim down to 53 players
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp .
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