Josh Allen's Top 10 Performances

[MJS]

I can't wait for the season to begin, even though I know it is a long way away still. Josh Allen is the man and he will have another great year, perhaps his best yet. Let's take a look at his top 10 performances so far in his career. When looking at these, I considered a few things: 1) what games would I show someone who had never heard of Josh Allen, 2) overall stats, and 3) the significance of the game at the time.

 

1) 2021 - Wild Card Round vs New England (Result: Win 47 - 17)

Stats: 308 Passing Yards, 66 Rushing Yards, 5 TD's Passing, 84% Completion Percentage, 157.6 Rating

 

Josh Allen saved the best game of his career for the frigid 2021 wild card game against the hated New England Patriots. Josh Allen set a franchise playoff record with five touchdown passes. The margin of defeat was the largest in the playoffs for Bill Belichick in New England. Buffalo became the NFL's first team in the Super Bowl era to score on each of its seven possessions that didn’t end with a kneel-down. The Allen-led offense was so efficient it gained 480 yards offense on just 51 snaps before backup Mitchell Trubisky finished the game with three kneel-downs. It was the 4th coldest game in Bills history.

 

2) 2020 - Week 2 @ Miami (Result: Win 44 - 34)

Stats: 415 Passing Yards, 19 Rushing Yards, 4 TD's Passing, 69% Completion Percentage, 146.7 Rating

 

Following his first career 300-passing-yard game in week 1 against the Jets, Allen had his first career 400-yard game in week 2, defeating the Miami Dolphins for the fourth consecutive time. Dueling former Buffalo Bill Ryan Fitzpatrick, Allen put up his highest career passer rating of 146.7, which still stands as his best in the regular season. At the time, the only other Bills player to throw for at least 415 yards and four scores was Joe Ferguson in 1983. Allen did it again in 2022.

 

3) 2021 - Divisional Round @ Kansas City (Result: Loss 36 - 42)

Stats: 308 Passing Yards, 66 Rushing Yards, 5 TD's Passing, 84% Completion Percentage, 136.0 Rating

 

This game goes down as one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history and would be ranked higher if the Bills didn't throw away the win. The duel between Allen and Mahomes was epic. Josh Allen’s decision on the overtime coin toss was his only mistake all night. The lead changed hands three times in the final two minutes of regulation, with 25 points scored over that span. Mahomes and Allen each threw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns, completed at least 70% of their passes without an interception, and led their teams with at least 65 yards rushing. No other quarterbacks in NFL history have accomplished those feats in a game, regular season or postseason.

 

4) 2020 - Week 13 @ San Francisco (Result: Win 34 - 24)

Stats: 375 Passing Yards, 11 Rushing Yards, 4 TD's Passing, 80% Completion Percentage, 139.1 Rating

 

The most memorable part of this game was watching Robert Saleh, then 49ers defensive coordinator, go dead inside as Allen scored yet again on his "vaunted" defense. He had no answer. Allen could not be stopped. It was Allen's fourth game of the season with at least 300 yards passing and three touchdowns, setting a franchise record. It was the Bills first Monday Night Football win since 1999.

 

5) 2021 - Week 5 @ Kansas City (Result: Win 38 - 20)

Stats: 315 Passing Yards, 59 Rushing Yards, 3 TD's Passing, 1 TD Rushing, 58% Completion Percentage, 139.1 Rating

 

Beating Kansas City and Mahomes for the first time was a big hurdle to overcome. Allen and the Bills finally looked like they were on par with the Chiefs and ready to contend with the best the NFL had to offer. Allen had one of his memorable leaps over a defender, threw for three TD's, and ran for another. This was a huge win that helped propel Josh Allen into consideration for the best QB in the NFL.

 

6) 2020 - Week 9 vs Seattle (Result: Win 44 - 34)

Stats: 415 Passing Yards, 14 Rushing Yards, 3 TD's Passing, 82% Completion Percentage, 138.5 Rating

 

Seattle made it interesting late by getting their point total to 34, but this game was never that close. The Bills came out and dominated the first half. Overcoming the death of his grandmother, Josh Allen put on a clinic. The 44 points allowed were the most in Pete Carroll's 11 seasons in Seattle and the most for the franchise since 2009.

 

7) 2022 - Week 2 vs Tennessee (Result: Win 41 - 7)

Stats: 317 Passing Yards, 10 Rushing Yards, 4 TD's Passing, 68% Completion Percentage, 128.9 Rating

 

The Bills had struggled against the Tennessee Titans in recent seasons, so this game was sweet revenge for Bills fans. Allen threw four touchdown passes, including three to Stefon Diggs. The defense also played well, forcing four turnovers and causing Ryan Tannehill to be benched. This was Allen's 15th game with 300 yards passing or more. That's impressive since he sat out the entire fourth quarter. “We got our (butts) kicked, plain and simple,” said Mike Vrabel afterward.

 

8) 2020 - Week 15 @ Denver (Result: Win 48 - 19)

Stats: 359 Passing Yards, 33 Rushing Yards, 2 TD's Passing, 2 TD's Rushing, 70% Completion Percentage, 114.5 Rating

 

This win cemented the division crown for the Bills for the first time since 1995. Josh Allen was electric. Vic Fangio watched helplessly on the sideline as Allen dismantled the Broncos defense over and over. To this day I remember that blank stare on his face as he threw his hands up, knowing there was no way to contain Allen. This game had it all from Allen: efficient passing, big throws, big runs, and stunned opponents. Before this game, Broncos fans were comparing Drew Lock to Josh Allen. That ended pretty quickly.

 

9) 2022 - Week 5 vs Pittsburgh (Result: Win 38 - 3)

Stats: 424 Passing Yards, 42 Rushing Yards, 4 TD's Passing, 1 INT, 65% Completion Percentage, 134.1 Rating

 

The revenge win against the Steelers, who beat the Bills week 1 of the previous season, was a total beatdown. Allen's 98-yard TD pass to Gabe Davis, getting hit as he threw it, was one of the best plays of his career. He also had another 62-yard TD pass to Davis (one of Davis's best TD catches ever). He threw for 424 yards, which is currently the highest total in his career, despite getting pulled in favor of Case Keenum early in the fourth quarter. This loss was the biggest margin of defeat for the Steelers since 1989. “We just got smashed today,” said Mike Tomlin afterward.

 

10) 2018 - Week 17 vs Miami (Result: Win 42 - 17)

Stats: 224 Passing Yards, 95 Rushing Yards, 3 TD's Passing, 2 TD's Rushing, 1 INT, 65% Completion Percentage, 114.9 Rating

 

Even though we ended Josh's rookie year by missing the playoffs, this game gave Bills fans so much hope and excitement for the future. Josh came out to prove he could be an efficient passer, checking the ball down, taking short throws, and completing passes at a rate he rarely did in the previous games his rookie season. He continued to run the ball exceptionally well, wracking up nearly 100 yards rushing and two rushing TD's. And he did it all with an offense devoid of talent, throwing to the likes of Zay Jones and Robert Foster. This still stands out as one of Josh Allen's best games and complete performances.

 

 

There are so many other games to consider. I left some good ones off the list. This is a great time to be alive as a Bills fan.

 

[Franco_92]

San Francisco was the best start-to-finish quarterbacking I have ever seen in a Bills uniform, and probably a top 5 performance in my 18 years watching the entire NFL (I know, not that long). But I'm cool with the 2 playoff games above it because of the stakes and how he basically dragged the team kicking and screaming through the KC game. 

 

Fun list to read and think back on, hope he adds a few more to it next year.

Edited May 22, 2023 by arcane

[MJS]

26 minutes ago, arcane said:

San Francisco was the best start-to-finish quarterbacking I have ever seen in a Bills uniform, and probably a top 5 performance in my 18 years watching the entire NFL (I know, not that long). But I'm cool with the 2 playoff games above it because of the stakes and how he basically dragged the team kicking and screaming through the KC game. 

 

Fun list to read and think back on, hope he adds a few more to it next year.

Picking the games was a little easier than ranking them. It took me a long time to order them 1 through 10, and I still felt a little uneasy about it at the end.

[mrags]

I’d have to have that Chiefs game as his #1. Maybe not statistically. Maybe not result driven. But his game against the Chiefs in the divisional round was by far the best play we’ve likely seen out of any Buffalo player in its history and will likely never be beat. Shame on McD and Frazier for screwing us out of greatness. 

[MJS]

28 minutes ago, mrags said:

I’d have to have that Chiefs game as his #1. Maybe not statistically. Maybe not result driven. But his game against the Chiefs in the divisional round was by far the best play we’ve likely seen out of any Buffalo player in its history and will likely never be beat. Shame on McD and Frazier for screwing us out of greatness. 

It was definitely as clutch as anything you'll ever see in the NFL.

[mrags]

13 minutes ago, MJS said:

It was definitely as clutch as anything you'll ever see in the NFL.

💯 

[Doc Brown]

I'd pry put the 2020 MNF game at the Pats on that list (over the 2018 Dolphins game) when we ran up the score on them culminating with that ridiculous against the body throw to Diggs in the back corner of the end zone.  Great list overall though and a lot of fun memories.

[GETTOTHE50]

i would probably put the 2020 miami game number 1 because thats when i knew we had a generational talent and that we were going to be in for one helluva ride.

 

otherwise, no argument from em

[Freddie's Dead]

2018 Week 3 Bills @ Viqueens (Result:  Win 27-6)

Stats:  196 Passing, 1 TD, 39 Rushing, 2 TD's, 68% completions, 111.2 rating.

 

Stats wise, meh, but Josh Allen willed the Bills to a win on the road against the favored Viqueens, for his first NFL victory.  Many will recall "The Hurdle", but for me, I jumped off the couch screaming "We finally have our QB!!!" on this play, where Josh actually achieved lift:

 

 

[GunnerBill]

I think the Seattle game is the best Josh Allen performance if you remove all context. But I understand why when you add context in it isn't #1 on your list. 

[Gregg]

I would put the 13 seconds game as Allen's best. If I remember correctly, he rallied the Bills twice in the 4th quarter in a very hostile environment in a playoff game. It's not his fault the Bills defense played like Moe, Larry, and Curly at the end.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Honorable Mention to the 2018 @ Miami game that the Bills loss. Allen was running all over the field that day and making big time throws to JAG receivers. That was the first game I watched Allen and thought this dude has all the tools to be an elite QB AND will likely put them together eventually. 

[Don Otreply]

I enjoyed the Dallas Thanksgiving game a lot, that game showed everyone Allen’s never say die play style. 

[MJS]

10 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said:

2018 Week 3 Bills @ Viqueens (Result:  Win 27-6)

Stats:  196 Passing, 1 TD, 39 Rushing, 2 TD's, 68% completions, 111.2 rating.

 

Stats wise, meh, but Josh Allen willed the Bills to a win on the road against the favored Viqueens, for his first NFL victory.  Many will recall "The Hurdle", but for me, I jumped off the couch screaming "We finally have our QB!!!" on this play, where Josh actually achieved lift:

 

 

I really wanted to include this one, but it was hard go put it in the top 10. This game and the week 17 game of his rookie season really solidified that we had our QB.

 

Those who claim that Allem had a bad rookie year and took a long time to develop simply weren't watching closely enough. He had flashes of brilliance in every single game. Yes, he got better, but the signs were always there.

3 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

I enjoyed the Dallas Thanksgiving game a lot, that game showed everyone Allen’s never say die play style. 

That was a huge game for the national audience to get on the Josh Allen and Bills hype train.

 

I tried to fit a 2019 game on the list, but they didn't quite make it. That was an excellent game, though. The defense was good too.

Edited May 22, 2023 by MJS

[Albany,n.y.]

51 minutes ago, MJS said:

I really wanted to I clude this one, but it was hard go put it in the top 10. This game and the week 17 game of his rookie season really solidified that we had our QB.

 

Those who claim that Allen had a bad rookie year and took a long time to develop simply weren't watching closely enough. He had flashes of brilliance in every single game. Yes, he got better, but the signs were always there.

 

This shows the difference between fans who don't see the games & rely on stats and those who watch every game.  The most critical people in the media were national guys who rely on stats & highlights and never saw a full Bills game in 2018.  There were also plenty of fans who didn't like the pick & were ignoring those flashes of brilliance.  I remember on another board telling a Josh critic "You don't know how to watch football".   

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

My favorite part of the NE game was that the talking heads all week said "allen doesn't play well in the cold" and then he proceeded to put up one of the greatest stat lines in playoff history. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Great list. 

No arguments on the the list or the order.

I would add one shout out game that I think goes overlooked. That is the Hopkins Hail Mary Cardinal game. Allen's come from behind drive and TD pass to Diggs is one of the great passing TD in Bills history. Absolute incredible throw leaning backwards across the field in front of future HOF Patrick Peterson.  

[YattaOkasan]

Would add 2020 playoff game against colts.  thought the bills got outplayed that game but Josh saved us (he did have a late fumble that we recovered)....  That broke the playoff win drought so i think that context puts it on my list

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Albany,n.y. said:

This shows the difference between fans who don't see the games & rely on stats and those who watch every game.  The most critical people in the media were national guys who rely on stats & highlights and never saw a full Bills game in 2018.  There were also plenty of fans who didn't like the pick & were ignoring those flashes of brilliance.  I remember on another board telling a Josh critic "You don't know how to watch football".   

 

Both are true to an extent though though. Josh Allen was pretty bad at times as a rookie. But there were flashes where you saw the talent level. Now that still wasn't a guarantee of anything but I said on here at the end of his rookie year (as someone who didn't like the pick) "he is ahead of where I expected him to be." It was a steady growth from Allen through his first two seasons. And when 2020 began he arrived as a bona fide elite level QB. I'd ay 2018 was mainly bad but with some moments of great. 2019 was mainly pretty good but with still some head scatching bad. 2020 is the best year of his career so far. It was his most consistent season and the one where he played the Quarterback position the best. I don't think it is coincidental that the 2020 oline was the best he has had in Buffalo. Whether it was empty stadiums helping with timing and communication or something else the line played above average in 2020. If they can get back to above average Josh can win the MVP and the Bills can win the Superbowl.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

My favorite part of the NE game was that the talking heads all week said "allen doesn't play well in the cold" and then he proceeded to put up one of the greatest stat lines in playoff history. 

I think the jury is still out on playing in the rain though. Cold is not his issue. I suspect all QBs struggle with a wet ball and sadly Bills have had more than their fair share of rain games the last two years it seems.