Over the years, I have had the opportunity to watch many Buffalo Bills football games. One thing has been apparent since 2018, quarterback Josh Allen is a great athlete and leader of their franchise and is definitely a difference maker when on the field.

Allen has received considerable criticism for his play and the Bills’ subpar record this season. The expectations have been extremely high ever since Allen and McDermott have arrived in Orchard Park New York, but these comments regarding Allen have to stop.

The Bills are sitting at a 7-6 record after beating the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in a thrilling victory 20-17. Shortly after this game, the analysts settled down with their negative remarks and began praising him for beating Mahomes in Arrowhead. Interestingly, the criticism of Allen subsided after this victory, though it should never have begun.

Allen was drafted in the first-round of the 2018 draft but only played in 12 games his rookie season. He compiled a 5-6 record, and the team finished with 6 wins in their first season under Sean McDermott.

Since then, Allen and McDermott have a combined 54-24 record together and have won four playoffs games and lost four. The 2020 season was one for the ages as they went all the way to the AFC Championship game before losing to Mahomes and the Chiefs.

The biggest heartbreaker was in 2021, when Allen threw 9 touchdowns to 0 interceptions in the postseason, and his defense allowed Mahomes and company to march right down the field with 13 seconds left to force overtime. Allen never got a chance in overtime as the Chiefs received the football and scored the game winning touchdown to win 42-36 in the Divisional round.

To be able to throw 9 touchdowns to 0 interceptions the entire postseason and still not be able to win the divisional matchup is something that truly haunted this football team. The defense struggled and ultimately could not get off the field when it mattered most. Let us get another key point correct — one cannot blame Allen for the playoff losses over the last four seasons; he has produced, but his defense has not.

There are several misconceptions about Allen that need to be squashed once and for all.

1. Turnover Machine

If you look at his career statistics, one will see that he has 74 interceptions. He is a quarterback who has turned it over the most in the last four years, but we must look at a few key aspects that may change one’s opinion.

Let us not forget that the quarterback who gets the most praise over the last several years, and rightfully so, is Patrick Mahomes. The two-time Super Bowl Champion does deserve the credit as he and his team has won the “big game”; however, let us not forget that Allen has only THREE more interceptions than Mahomes this season AND Allen has TWO more touchdowns than Mahomes.

This is the first misconception. So, if one is slandering Allen for his turnover ratio, he is on pace to once again throw for more than 30-touchdowns in his fourth straight season, a statistic that very few average quarterbacks have done in the NFL. It has always been the stellar quarterbacks who get this statistic.

2. Bills Score Many Points 

One of my favorite quotes of all time is, ‘No Risk It, No Biscuit’. I’ve heard this over the years but most recently with coach Bruce Arians. In order to win football games, the team must score points — it is not rocket science.

An aggressive approach is something that the Buffalo Bills do have and it is the reason there is no team in the NFL that has scored more points than the Bills have this season.

Look at Bills Offensive Scoring 2023: 

Week 1: 16 Points | Week 2: 38 | Week 3: 37 | Week 4: 48 | Week 5: 20

Week 6: 9 | Week 7: 25 | Week 8: 24 | Week 9: 18 | Week 10: 22

Week 11: 32 | Week 12: 34 | Week 13: BYE | Week 14: 17

The key losses were in week one to the New York Jets 22-16 in overtime, week five a 25-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, week seven a 29-25 loss to the New England Patriots, back-to-back losses to the Cincinnati Bengals 24-18 and the Denver Broncos 24-22 in weeks 9 and 10 and then lastly the most recent loss was to the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-34 overtime heartbreaker after receiver Gabe Davis ran the wrong route.

Davis was wide open for the game-winning touchdown, and Allen threw the ball where it needed to be, but the two were not on the same page. It was unfortunate as once again the defense let Allen down and the Eagles scored on the following drive to secure the victory.

The Bills have been playing much better offensively after they fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and replaced him with Bills quarterbacks coach Joe Brady.

The great news is Brady has given Allen the ability to utilize his rushing as another form of his game and that has worked wonders over the last several weeks, giving the team’s offense more explosive plays.

3. Josh Allen is CLUTCH 

There is no doubt that Allen has been clutch over the last several years, especially when it matters the most. While the Bills are currently sitting at a 7-6 record, fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC Conference, Allen has not only put up incredible numbers over the last several years including the playoffs versus tough defenses, he has done extremely well these last two weeks versus the two 2023 Super Bowl teams – Eagles and Chiefs.

Allen vs. Eagles: 339 Total Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 1 INT.

9 Carries for 81 Yards and 2 Touchdowns

The passer rating of 82.1 is not the greatest but his ability to make things happen with his legs is something that has won him games throughout his career.

Allen vs. Chiefs: 233 Total Yards, 1 Touchdown, 1 INT.

10 Carries for 32 Yards and 1 Touchdown

One should forget about the poor passer rating (68.8) versus the Chiefs and focus more on his clutch abilities with the game on the line. Statistics do not always tell the story of just how well someone is doing.

Here's the two end zone angles of the crazy Josh Allen play.

Mike Edwards had a chance. pic.twitter.com/0Qkbu6lVrI

— Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore) December 11, 2023

This spectacular play made its rounds on social media as a top play of the week, and kept the drive alive, helping the Bills win a tough one at Arrowhead Stadium.

This photograph above was on social media and it just captures Allen and just how clutch he is with five minutes or less in the fourth quarter or overtime and the win probability between 25% and 75%.

Allen’s impromptu ability to make things happen with his legs and playing sort of a backyard football type of style, has won his team games over the years and without it, they struggle. This is one of the main reasons that the organization fired Ken Dorsey. He limited Allen’s rushing and scramble ability and that ultimately gives the Bills a least likely chance to win football games.

LOOK AT THIS: 

.@JoshAllenQB currently leads the @NFL in total touchdowns. 👏#ProBowlVote | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/r9qLPN0f1o

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 12, 2023

AND THIS… 

Josh Allen doing Josh Allen things. 🤯#ProBowlVote | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/gd9i8XBUyw

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 13, 2023

AND DON’T FORGET THE DROPS…

Can you imagine how many less interceptions and more touchdowns Allen would have if his receivers could catch a football every now and then?

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

Enough with the Josh Allen slander! He is a dang good quarterback and someone who many fans wish they had as their franchise signal caller. He historically has made plays when it mattered most and utilizes his unique backyard football style to keep plays alive, giving his team the best chance to succeed.

When it comes to his turnovers, yes, he does have 74 interceptions since 2018, but comparing his seasons each year to other NFL starters is night and day. He always has more touchdowns throwing and is a difference maker in the running game, giving defenses a major headache every time he is on the football field.

The unjust slander directed at Allen fails to recognize his substantial contributions and the resilience he shows as Buffalo’s starting quarterback. He has been remarkable in clutch football games and if it wasn’t for a few defensive lapses, he might already be a Super Bowl Champion.