Beyond The Numbers - Josh Allen and the Bills

[H2o]

Earlier this year, before the offseason program got going after the draft, I had a gut feeling this team would be special. We already had the defense, remade the OL, got a few pieces on offense for Josh, and Allen was getting a full slate of work knowing he was going into the season as the Bills starting QB. You could feel the energy last year when he was on the field. The team was different. They rallied around him like no QB I can remember in Buffalo since Kelly. He has that "it" factor and you have seen it in the numerous comebacks via that clutch gene he has shown. This defense, with Edmunds starting to REALLY come into his own and Tre becoming one of the ELITE CB's in this league, is starting to get the feel of that nasty defense we had in the late 90's. This team is dangerous and you can bet, like I stated in a thread made before, no one wants to see us in January. 

 

Let's talk about Josh Allen and this offense. He has markedly improved over last season for sure. All of the numbers and even the eye test tell you that. Even still the narrative was on full display last night, the same narrative a fellow poster made a thread about earlier last week a few days prior to the game. The talk about Josh being inaccurate and the Nancy's slurping it up like the last jello shot which they spilled on a counter top. There is no NFL QB who throws the ball perfectly on every single play, not one. Bottom line is if the ball hits you in the hands squarely enough and you are getting paid to catch the football, then you damn well need to catch the football. I have seen Jackson's, Wilson's, Rodgers', Murray's, Hodges', Prescott's, Mahomes', Brady's, Minshew's, Fitzpatrick's, and a host of other QB's make the same throws, but their guys come up with the ball so they receive praise for the throw they just made. Allen makes the same throws, but his guys drop passes at the highest clip in the NFL, and the tv personalities/media/some people on this board want to blame Allen then talk about how inaccurate he is. It is the ABSOLUTE BIGGEST double standard I see out there right now. Is every throw perfect or is he perfect? Absolutely not, but in no way does it hold the water they want you to believe. It's just like Josh getting blamed for getting cheapshotted out of the game against the Pats. There are a ton of absolutely asinine statements in regards to Josh on a weekly basis, mixed in with some that are legit. This is the 4th week in a row that Josh has faced a top 6, OR BETTER, NFL ranked defense. He and we as a team are 3-1 with him having 2 good games and 2 iffy ones, two of those four games coming on National TV and on the road. The game against the Ravens we had a chance even until the final play of the game. The last two (Ravens & Steelers) were also against very aggressive, attacking defenses that blitzed basically every other play. Josh has been under more duress the last two weeks than at any point this season since the first Patriots game. Last night's game especially being against the NFL's league leading team in sacks. He didn't fold and he didn't look like he did against the Pats in either game. It may not be pretty all the time, but he is shaking off the negative things that happen much better this year as the season progresses and doing whatever it takes to win games. We could go on for lengths about Daboll's play calling or personnel choices at times, McDermott's overly conservative nature at times, and a host of other things, but I am trying to keep from having a 5 scroll down type of post.

 

One thing that has been proven in the NFL, more often than not, is defense wins championships. We have a championship caliber defense right now. Statistically, we held Lamar Jackson to his lowest total yardage output of the season. Not SF in the rain, not Seattle, not Cleveland, not KC, not New England, but this Buffalo Bills defense did. This was with 61 of his passing yards coming on a busted coverage which resulted in a TD. Edmunds is starting to become a monster in the middle for this defense and a complete LB. Tre is an elite CB in this league and we NEED TO PAY the man now. Milano is filling his role well. Oliver has come on the last few weeks. Shaq is playing lights out right now. Star has been playing well. Phillips has been eating guys alive on the interior. Hell, we've even had a couple of Trent Murphy sightings the last few weeks. The guys we have added to the interior rotation in Liuget and Taylor, everyone is contributing. This defense is starting to really put it all together and it is coming at the perfect time. You want to be playing your best football closing out the regular season so hopefully you can ride that wave through the playoffs. Well right now that wave is coming wearing red, white, and blue while the rest of the NFL has no idea of the force behind it when it hits you.  

 

Everyone wants to focus on numbers. Josh's numbers, sack numbers, the numbers of the teams we have played on our schedule along with their records, and whatever else you want to throw in. Outside of the Eagles game, where we just let that one completely get away, every loss has come down to the final possession as have some of our wins. One L against the Pats with Barkley at the helm to close it out, Josh having us in the lead with the defense taking the field against the Browns where we give up the TD in the last minutes of the game, and the game against Baltimore where it came down to a 4th down pass attempt to John Brown that was thoroughly detailed in a video. This team as a whole and this defense give us a chance to be ANY team in the NFL every time we step on the field. Despite any deficiencies we may have in different areas be it on offense, coaching, whatever, this team is already at the point where we can win now and that is exactly what they keep doing despite the ones expecting us to fail.  

[ProcessYaDigg]

11 minutes ago, H2o said:

Earlier this year, before the offseason program got going after the draft, I had a gut feeling this team would be special. We already had the defense, remade the OL, got a few pieces on offense for Josh, and Allen was getting a full slate of work knowing he was going into the season as the Bills starting QB. You could feel the energy last year when he was on the field. The team was different. They rallied around him like no QB I can remember in Buffalo since Kelly. He has that "it" factor and you have seen it in the numerous comebacks via that clutch gene he has shown. This defense, with Edmunds starting to REALLY come into his own and Tre becoming one of the ELITE CB's in this league, is starting to get the feel of that nasty defense we had in the late 90's. This team is dangerous and you can bet, like I stated in a thread made before, no one wants to see us in January. 

 

Let's talk about Josh Allen and this offense. He has markedly improved over last season for sure. All of the numbers and even the eye test tell you that. Even still the narrative was on full display last night, the same narrative a fellow poster made a thread about earlier last week a few days prior to the game. The talk about Josh being inaccurate and the Nancy's slurping it up like the last jello shot which they spilled on a counter top. There is no NFL QB who throws the ball perfectly on every single play, not one. Bottom line is if the ball hits you in the hands squarely enough and you are getting paid to catch the football, then you damn well need to catch the football. I have seen Jackson's, Wilson's, Rodgers', Murray's, Hodges', Prescott's, Mahomes', Brady's, Minshew's, Fitzpatrick's, and a host of other QB's make the same throws, but their guys come up with the ball so they receive praise for the throw they just made. Allen makes the same throws, but his guys drop passes at the highest clip in the NFL, and the tv personalities/media/some people on this board want to blame Allen then talk about how inaccurate he is. It is the ABSOLUTE BIGGEST double standard I see out there right now. Is every throw perfect or is he perfect? Absolutely not, but in no way does it hold the water they want you to believe. It's just like Josh getting blamed for getting cheapshotted out of the game against the Pats. There are a ton of absolutely asinine statements in regards to Josh on a weekly basis, mixed in with some that are legit. This is the 4th week in a row that Josh has faced a top 6, OR BETTER, NFL ranked defense. He and we as a team are 3-1 with him having 2 good games and 2 iffy ones, two of those four games coming on National TV and on the road. The game against the Ravens we had a chance even until the final play of the game. The last two (Ravens & Steelers) were also against very aggressive, attacking defenses that blitzed basically every other play. Josh has been under more duress the last two weeks than at any point this season since the first Patriots game. Last night's game especially being against the NFL's league leading team in sacks. He didn't fold and he didn't look like he did against the Pats in either game. It may not be pretty all the time, but he is shaking off the negative things that happen much better this year as the season progresses and doing whatever it takes to win games. We could go on for lengths about Daboll's play calling or personnel choices at times, McDermott's overly conservative nature at times, and a host of other things, but I am trying to keep from having a 5 scroll down type of post.

 

One thing that has been proven in the NFL, more often than not, is defense wins championships. We have a championship caliber defense right now. Statistically, we held Lamar Jackson to his lowest total yardage output of the season. Not SF in the rain, not Seattle, not Cleveland, not KC, not New England, but this Buffalo Bills defense did. This was with 61 of his passing yards coming on a busted coverage which resulted in a TD. Edmunds is starting to become a monster in the middle for this defense and a complete LB. Tre is an elite CB in this league and we NEED TO PAY the man now. Milano is filling his role well. Oliver has come on the last few weeks. Shaq is playing lights out right now. Star has been playing well. Phillips has been eating guys alive on the interior. Hell, we've even had a couple of Trent Murphy sightings the last few weeks. The guys we have added to the interior rotation in Liuget and Taylor, everyone is contributing. This defense is starting to really put it all together and it is coming at the perfect time. You want to be playing your best football closing out the regular season so hopefully you can ride that wave through the playoffs. Well right now that wave is coming wearing red, white, and blue while the rest of the NFL has no idea of the force behind it when it hits you.  

 

Everyone wants to focus on numbers. Josh's numbers, sack numbers, the numbers of the teams we have played on our schedule along with their records, and whatever else you want to throw in. Outside of the Eagles game, where we just let that one completely get away, every loss has come down to the final possession as have some of our wins. One L against the Pats with Barkley at the helm to close it out, Josh having us in the lead with the defense taking the field against the Browns where we give up the TD in the last minutes of the game, and the game against Baltimore where it came down to a 4th down pass attempt to John Brown that was thoroughly detailed in a video. This team as a whole and this defense give us a chance to be ANY team in the NFL every time we step on the field. Despite any deficiencies we may have in different areas be it on offense, coaching, whatever, this team is already at the point where we can win now and that is exactly what they keep doing despite the ones expecting us to fail.  

Thanks for taking the time to write this.  This is all well put on how the media portrays Allen vs what he actually does compared to other QBs.  We've played the absolute best defenses lately and have another tough match up again this week, but I think we find a way to pull it out.  Our defense is a championship defense and our momentum is in full swing, which is huge when closing out a season and going into the post season.  Rest assured, we will make noise in January.  GO BILLS!

[TPS]

Facing Baltimore, Pitt, and the Pats in succession is good preparation for Josh's first playoff run.

[BillsFanSD]

Great post.  The part about "the narrative" is unfortunately spot-on, but at least now we can laugh about it while we stack up wins.

[H2o]

46 minutes ago, TPS said:

Facing Baltimore, Pitt, and the Pats in succession is good preparation for Josh's first playoff run.

Agreed. Three of the absolute toughest defenses in the NFL right now. I want to see what Belicheat has in store for us this week and in turn how Josh handles. I'm hoping Daboll has learned something the last 4 weeks about whom he should have on the field and situational awareness as to using that personnel. I'd really like to see Yeldon be active as I think he can be more effective at this point than Gore. Not saying that Gore should be inactive, but Yeldon is younger, more athletic, and more of a threat imo. I just think he offers more on offense. 

[Todd Allan]

I just hope "the narrative" keeps the Bills under the RADAR as long as possible. lol

Go Bills!

[TPS]

16 minutes ago, H2o said:

Agreed. Three of the absolute toughest defenses in the NFL right now. I want to see what Belicheat has in store for us this week and in turn how Josh handles. I'm hoping Daboll has learned something the last 4 weeks about whom he should have on the field and situational awareness as to using that personnel. I'd really like to see Yeldon be active as I think he can be more effective at this point than Gore. Not saying that Gore should be inactive, but Yeldon is younger, more athletic, and more of a threat imo. I just think he offers more on offense. 

They could really use a big-bodied WR too....

[CincyBillsFan]

Great comment. 

 

There is a double standard in assessing Allen and it stinks.  The good news is that Allen is sharpening his saw playing these kinds of games.  Steel is being tempered here and will pay huge dividends going forward.

 

 

[eball]

I'm very emboldened by the fact that the Bills have gone 2-1 since they began their late season "gauntlet" of opponents (@DAL, BAL, @PIT, @NE***).  If they defeat the Pats*** next week, or even if they play another one possession game there, it's time to put BBFS to rest once and for all.

[Easterner]

It was a great win last night and we are on to New England, and we are all

happy but lets stop the pom poms on Josh Allen. He is a franchise QB for

the Bills, but what does that mean. It means he is too good to ever be traded

but right now and maybe never, does he win the big one. There are many

franchise QB's in the NFL. Among them P Rivers, M Ryan, M Stafford, D Carr,

among others but even winning a playoff game does not make you great.

 

Eli Manning is a god in the tri state area (NYC, NJ, Conn) because he won 

two Super Bowls. He can walk into any bar there and never have to pay for a

drink. I would like to buy Josh Allen I drink one day. But passing the past

two weeks for 146 and 139 yards does not win much. . That does not win

Super Bowls. he is rated poorly among NFL QB's because that's who he is

now and maybe forever.

 

Let's get real.  Some of you guys ran Tyrod Taylor out of town and he put up

some better numbers then Allen has. If we beat the Pats it will be because

of Defense, not Josh Allen.

[teef]

Just now, Easterner said:

It was a great win last night and we are on to New England, and we are all

happy but lets stop the pom poms on Josh Allen. He is a franchise QB for

the Bills, but what does that mean. It means he is too good to ever be traded

but right now and maybe never, does he win the big one. There are many

franchise QB's in the NFL. Among them P Rivers, M Ryan, M Stafford, D Carr,

among others but even winning a playoff game does not make you great.

 

Eli Manning is a god in the tri state area (NYC, NJ, Conn) because he won 

two Super Bowls. He can walk into any bar there and never have to pay for a

drink. I would like to buy Josh Allen I drink one day. But passing the past

two weeks for 146 and 139 yards does not win much. . That does not win

Super Bowls. he is rated poorly among NFL QB's because that's who he is

now and maybe forever.

 

Let's get real.  Some of you guys ran Tyrod Taylor out of town and he put up

some better numbers then Allen has. If we beat the Pats it will be because

of Defense, not Josh Allen.

if i ever meet her, i'm going to be mean to your mom for having you.

[Easterner]

Just stick to the facts man, and I am sure my mom will appreciate you. 

[H2o]

15 minutes ago, Easterner said:

It was a great win last night and we are on to New England, and we are all

happy but lets stop the pom poms on Josh Allen. He is a franchise QB for

the Bills, but what does that mean. It means he is too good to ever be traded

but right now and maybe never, does he win the big one. There are many

franchise QB's in the NFL. Among them P Rivers, M Ryan, M Stafford, D Carr,

among others but even winning a playoff game does not make you great.

 

Eli Manning is a god in the tri state area (NYC, NJ, Conn) because he won 

two Super Bowls. He can walk into any bar there and never have to pay for a

drink. I would like to buy Josh Allen I drink one day. But passing the past

two weeks for 146 and 139 yards does not win much. . That does not win

Super Bowls. he is rated poorly among NFL QB's because that's who he is

now and maybe forever.

 

Let's get real.  Some of you guys ran Tyrod Taylor out of town and he put up

some better numbers then Allen has. If we beat the Pats it will be because

of Defense, not Josh Allen.

Thanks for the 2, Eric@PFF, we see you big guy 

Edited December 16, 2019 by H2o