Throughout Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s time in the league, he’s been a top-five quarterback. He can throw and run the ball as good as any quarterback in the league. But, Allen’s never been regarded as the best because he’s had a lingering issue with turnovers.
Allen has had 10 or more interceptions in five of his last six seasons and has been in the top three the past three years. He tries to force the ball too much and doesn’t know when to throw it away.
In August 2024, an NFL executive told ESPN that Allen has “Immense talent but he makes a lot of mistakes.”
This season, Allen hasn’t had the issue. He’s been almost perfect. Allen has the lowest percentage (4.2%) of plays with a sack, fumble or interception since the NFL merger. Usually, he does equal harm as good, but this year, Allen’s completely flipped the script.
Coming into the offseason, it wouldn’t make sense, either. The Bills traded away Allen’s No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs, and they didn’t resign No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis. Both of Allen’s weapons were gone. The only addition to the receiver room was rookie Keon Coleman. The rest of the receivers were players on the roster already.
Getting rid of Allen’s two receivers might’ve actually helped him, though. With the two of them gone, Allen isn’t trying to force the ball to them, making him more careful and resulting in better turnover numbers. There are eight receivers over 20 catches, two more than last year’s six. Diggs had over 100 receptions a year ago, and now, the highest is Khalil Shakir with 76, so Allen is spreading the love, and it’s helping him.
The Bills' offensive line has been better at keeping Allen upright, and he’s learned to throw the ball out of bounds instead of throwing a pick or taking a sack. Allen’s been sacked 14 times, the fewest in the league. He was sacked 24 times in 2023.
Nothing’s helped Allen be more cautious than running back James Cook and the rushing attack, though. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady shifted the offensive focus to be run first resulting in a top-10 run game. The Bills run the ball down the field and are especially efficient in the red zone. Cook was tied for a league-most 16 rushing touchdowns in the regular season. He had two in 2023.
The run game takes the pressure off of Allen, so it’s not on his arm every play to win the game, causing him to stay out of danger.
Allen’s decision-making shift from always being the hero to just putting his team in a position to win has done wonders for him. Even against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, Allen thought about pitching the ball to Cook at the goal line while he was wrapped up, but he smartly took the yardage instead of trying to be the hero, which could've ended poorly.
At 28, Allen's finally learned and shook the "turnover machine" stigma. He might not have 30 passing touchdowns like he’s had in years past or win the MVP, but he’s put the Bills in a place to compete for a spot in the Super Bowl on Jan. 26, which is the bigger accomplishment.