Blaming quarterback Josh Allen for the Buffalo Bills’ 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round is a tough call that’s sure to stir controversy.Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated listed the winners and losers for the 2023-2024 season, and Buffalo was one of the losing teams. He also said that if the Bills must trade Stefon Diggs to clear cap space, they should commit to having Allen play in a different scheme.
He also noted that the Bills quarterback needs to improve on his “lack of productive, smart plays in crunch time.””It wouldn’t be surprising if Diggs was traded in the offseason,” Manzano wrote. “If the Bills decide to adjust their offensive scheme, it would be a good idea to make sure Allen is fully prepared, as he has a tendency to give up productive and smart plays in tight situations, such as the final quarter against a division. round.”Yes, because it was Allen’s fault that Diggs threw a 60 yard bomb that could have been first and goal or give the Bills the lead.
Allen’s lack of productive and smart play in the fourth quarter forced Tyler Bass to miss a potential game-tying field goal with less than two minutes left in the game.Allen’s lack of productive and intelligent play late in the game cost him dearly in 2022, as he gave Buffalo two fourth-quarter leads against the Chiefs and left the field with a 36-33 lead with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Allen’s only minor mistake in the fourth quarter of Buffalo’s loss to the Chiefs this postseason was Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones pushing the Bills but missing Khalil Shakir for a potential touchdown in the fourth trimester.
Dion made an impact with a throw that drove Dawkins into Allen’s left knee.Anyone with two eyes can see that without Allen, Buffalo would never have had a chance against the Super Bowl champions. The Bills defense was torched by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, allowing 21 first downs in 47 plays, including three late-game kneels. Allen was the team’s leading passer and didn’t get much help from the receiving corps, where he attempted and lost four fumbles. Manzano later compared Allen to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, saying neither was elite.”Like Josh Allen, Jackson will need to improve in the postseason to be considered an elite quarterback,” Manzano wrote.
If Allen and Jackson aren’t elite quarterbacks, Mahomes should be the only one in the NFL to hold that distinction. Jackson was one of the best quarterbacks in football during the regular season, but the two-time MVP couldn’t keep up with Allen in the playoffs. The Bills quarterback has thrown for 2,723 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions and has 563 yards and five scores in his postseason career. Jackson threw for 1,324 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions and ran for 521 yards and three touchdowns. The Bills are not without their flaws and will have to get creative to improve the team despite a $40 million cap hit.
Even a potential trade for Diggs would further increase the Bills, according to Spotrac. The Bills have made it to the Super Bowl or break even. It is true that we were named 2 game underdogs last season. But blaming Allen for the team’s woes is an inexplicable mistake if he’s the only reason they have a chance against the NFL’s elite.
