What's wrong with Josh?

[nedboy7]

He knows this team ain’t winning it all this year. 

[Donuts and Doritos]

It's the new Vodka flavored Gatorade.

[Kenosha2Buffalo]

he missed a few throws but when cook goes for 200 who gives a F... anytime you have an MVP QB who doesn't have to do much it looks REALLY good for your offense . Josh will always have his wtf moments , good and bad. He's a high intensity, high emotion player. 

[Allen2Moulds]

6 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

True but how many quarterback sweeps are we calling? 

 

None today .. I agree on a quarterback run Josh is always playing with full intensity .. and he's always playing football with high intensity.. I'm just saying when he leaves the pocket he used to have more decisiveness.. now he's caught between throwing and running which might be preservation for the long game

 

6 years ago third and three we go five wide you know Josh Allen was going quarterback draw up the gut.. we don't see that that much but maybe because defenses are taking that away

I thought I saw one Qb sweep today. Didn't think it was necessary with the way we were running. 

[Nuncha]

38 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

No separation from WRs and the OL not being as good at pass blocking as they get credit for. Results in quick pressure, nobody open to throw to and as the game goes on Josh gets happy feet because he's not trusting the protection.

True, but he missed a couple of wide-open guys today.

[Orlando Buffalo]

26 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

Brady needs to work on a route tree that gets guys open.  Whatever happened to the 4+1 formation from last year?  That said, I think Josh is battling some injuries.  There were some wide open throws he missed badly today.

The first part is definitely true, the injury part I believe from watching him today. He often was shaking his right hand as if he had a stinger. 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

42 minutes ago, QB Bills said:

I know the Bills won big today, but it wouldn't be TBD without the usual whiners like me to come by and complain. 

 

I'm a bit concerned with Allen's game right now. He hasn't looked like his usual self for the majority of the season. Missing open receivers, not being able to escape rushers, and just looking kinda flat out there emotionally compared to what were accustomed to.

 

I know the receivers don't create much separation, but it's not like they revamped the room this year. It's mostly the same guys he had last year and although he wasn't lighting it up in 2024, he was still fitting the ball into really tight windows. There isn't a lot of that this year. 

 

I know it's not popular to criticise him here, so for the record, I'm one of his biggest fans. But out of all of the problems this team has, Josh Allen's play is the most concerning for me. Not that he's been horrible, but this team has no chance if he's not far and away the best qb in the league. 

I think Josh is a rhythm thrower the way some running backs need consistent carries to get into a flow. I think he managed the game well and made some good throws as well as some terrible ones too. 3 TDs is 3 TDs whether 2 of them were from a yard out or not. Just because Josh makes it look easy doesn’t mean it was. 

[TFBillsfan]

More times than not, the play called to the WR isn’t there. Josh is literally going thru multiple reads and no one is remotely open. 
 

What is very concerning is how often we are throwing horizontally vs vertically. Where are the speed crossers from Samuel or Moore? Delayed drags by the TE’s? Release to the RB’s? Ty Johnson passes out of the backfield against a LB we’re money last year. I haven’t seen anything like that called. 
 

And lastly, it’s criminal Brady isn’t using Cook in the passing game!

 

One would think we a strong running game, play action would be an offense strength!

 

Our passing game looks like a grind, compared to so many other offenses. When the last time you remember Josh having an easy throw to a WR? We are getting NOTHING from Samuel, Moore, Coleman and Shavers. 

[NeverOutNick]

Josh is fine. Maybe he is battling through an injury but he is 100% not the problem. His ONLY true difference makers are Cook and Shakir and that’s it right now thanks to our FO catering to McDs defense, which I can’t remember the last time didn’t give up a 3rd and long. Thank God we played Andy Dalton today and Cook and Shakir were awesome. Finally Josh didn’t have to be Superman for us to win a game. Lay off the guy, he’s allowed to be off from time to time. Heck Mahomes has been off for a couple years but when he does play great everyone forgets how lackluster he’s been. If only Josh had Andy Reid and company to take the pressure off him once in a while instead of whatever pathetic play calling Brady has schemed up with the lack of pass catchers given to him. Ty Take the W against a below average team and complain about the support Josh gets instead of the only reason we’re a perennial playoff team each year.

Edited 6 hours ago by NeverOutNick

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

I hate to say this but Josh isn't having fun anymore.

 

Look at what his grandma said

 

I never thought it possible but McDermott and Brady have completely destroyed Superman. 

 

The passing game is completely non existent. Josh threw for only 163 yards tonight. 

 

I remember when Josh was having fun and would routinely pass for over 400 yards.

 

McDermott and Brady have become Josh's kryptonite and are sucking the life out of him as we speak !!

 

You all see it with your own eyes !!

 

Tell me I'm wrong !!

[GoBills808]

5 minutes ago, Nuncha said:

True, but he missed a couple of wide-open guys today.

As do all QBs in every nfl game ever played

[Richard Noggin]

The first few games of the season, I kept pointing out (in real life) how Allen was frequently and masterfully stepping UP in the pocket and often THROUGH the pocket between OC and LG, or LG and LT. It was amazing how natural it was for him time and again. He was moving forward and usually finding a throw or a few yards. Then something changed around about the Saints game (and definitely the Pats game), usually the point in the season where DCs have enough film to make opponent-specific adjustments. 

 

Now Allen seems downright jumpy and out of sync. Not diagnosing Ds or setting protections pre-snap as well as he should. Throwing off-platform and inaccurately. Indecisive/in-between in his decisions. 

 

But we've seen this before. He can be streaky. He can be frazzled. Remember how many seasons we spent watching the first few offensive snaps so closely to determine if Allen was psyched-out OR dialed-in? Like which Allen are we getting today? Gotta call the first drive like a 2-minute drill to start with a positive play, even if it's a short pass. Then maybe follow it up with a designed QB run to get Allen some contact and shake him out of his own head. I don't think #17 looked fully present and in control today until about the time he was pulled from the game. 

[Buffalo716]

2 minutes ago, NeverOutNick said:

Josh is fine. Maybe he is battling through an injury but he is 100% not the problem. His ONLY true difference makers are Cook and Shakir and that’s it right now thanks to our FO catering to McDs defense, which I can’t remember the last time didn’t give up a 3rd and long. Thank God we played Andy Dalton today and Cook and Shakir were awesome. Finally Josh didn’t have to be Superman for us to win a game. Lay off the guy, he’s allowed to be off from time to time. Heck Mahomes has been off for a couple years but when he does play great everyone forgets how lackluster he’s been. If only Josh had Andy Reid and company to take the pressure off him one in a while. Take the W against a below average team and complain about the support Josh gets instead of the only reason we’re a perennial playoff team each year.

 

100% your spot on but the difference is even Patrick mahomes gets flack from his fan base when they're scoring 20 points a game 

 

Some people here thought I was hating on Josh Allen earlier and I was told to skip his Hall of Fame celebration when he's absolutely my favorite player of all time 

 

But I see football as a coach and scout and I will critique a player who's a little bit off

 

Josh Allen is the most talented player I've ever seen and he can go down as the best player ever... The only thing he can control is his work ethic.. and try to be as consistent as possible 

 

Obviously this is his team.. he's been in a mini funk.. but so has Tom Brady 

 

That's just honesty for a player that I respect in the highest caliber

2 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

I hate to say this but Josh isn't having fun anymore.

 

Look at what his grandma said

 

I never thought it possible but McDermott and Brady have completely destroyed Superman. 

 

The passing game is completely non existent. Josh threw for only 163 yards tonight. 

 

I remember when Josh was having fun and would routinely pass for over 400 yards.

 

McDermott and Brady have become Josh's kryptonite and are sucking the life out of him as we speak !!

 

You all see it with your own eyes !!

 

Tell me I'm wrong !!

Slightly out of context 

 

Just because Josh Allen isn't smiling like his grandma wants doesn't mean it's the Bill's fault 

 

How do you know it's not the woman who he just married and she's telling him he's more than a football player and he's confused

[GoBills808]

Just now, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

I hate to say this but Josh isn't having fun anymore.

 

Look at what his grandma said

 

I never thought it possible but McDermott and Brady have completely destroyed Superman. 

 

The passing game is completely non existent. Josh threw for only 163 yards tonight. 

 

I remember when Josh was having fun and would routinely pass for over 400 yards.

 

McDermott and Brady have become Josh's kryptonite and are sucking the life out of him as we speak !!

 

You all see it with your own eyes !!

 

Tell me I'm wrong !!

It's very obvious you're not wrong

 

It's been 9 yrs of this staff. This is their version of Allen's offense fully realized- ball control, mistake free, boring ass football

 

 

 

 

[ngbills]

He is out of sync. Missing easy throws, leaving the pocket, bad reads. Not sure what to say other than he is just off right now. It’s like he has reverted to tendencies from his early years. 

[mjt328]

WRs are not getting open consistently and protection has been very iffy at times.  The coaching staff has also made him overly cautious about throwing interceptions.

 

Josh used to be a player who pressed downfield throws when he got frustrated.  Now he’s become basically the opposite kind of QB.  All the other offensive issues have made him hesitant and jumpy in the pocket.  He bails out and holds it even when plays are there.

 

His ability to escape pressure has decreased this year too.  Nobody wants to admit it, but this may be age related.  Hope not.  Only time will tell for sure.

 

The obvious answer is that we need to get him reliable help at WR, but I’m skeptical anything will happen.

[Richard Noggin]

2 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

I hate to say this but Josh isn't having fun anymore.

 

Look at what his grandma said

 

I never thought it possible but McDermott and Brady have completely destroyed Superman. 

 

The passing game is completely non existent. Josh threw for only 163 yards tonight. 

 

I remember when Josh was having fun and would routinely pass for over 400 yards.

 

McDermott and Brady have become Josh's kryptonite and are sucking the life out of him as we speak !!

 

You all see it with your own eyes !!

 

Tell me I'm wrong !!

 

This take has been coming up more and more. And I have a hard time disagreeing with it. The best coaches empower their guys to go out there and play aggressively. McD like to pretend he wants his guys playing aggressively, but the play calls on offense don't often align with that mantra. They just want to run and convert 3rd downs and not turn the ball over. Like if they had never let Tyrod Taylor go. Like they're more worried about the opposition than the opposition is about them. So fundamentally conservative. So fundamentally boring. Players need to have fun out there. Players need to feel like the coaches believe in them. 

[Einstein]

48 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

No separation from WRs and the OL not being as good at pass blocking as they get credit for. Results in quick pressure, nobody open to throw to and as the game goes on Josh gets happy feet because he's not trusting the protection.

 

This.

 

Nothing is wrong with Josh. But a lot of what is wrong with the team has made Josh do uncharacteristic things.

 

In the game day thread, people were bemoaning him leaving the pocket. I don’t know what these folks have been watching the last few weeks, but Allen has been trained to leave the pocket - or get wrecked.

 

If he doesn’t leave the pocket early and a rusher gets through quickly (which is happening all the time now), play is dead. So he leaves early to try and buy time for his awful WR’s to get open.

 

But then on the rare occasion where the line holds up, people are upset that he left the pocket. Hindsight is 20/20. Allen doesn’t have the benefit of rewind so he is hedging his bets: stay in the pocket and there is a good chance the play is dead, or leave the pocket and try to make something happen.

 

Its what happens with any QB when you have a bad WR group and an o-line in a rough stretch.

 

PS, we don’t have a single receiver who can consistently make sideline catches.

[zow2]

Not trusting his feet, his eyes, etc. is just code to me that he’s lacking some confidence and is afraid to make a mistake.  Hes often throwing to guys standing still and those are broken up a lot.  He throws much better to guys on the run while he’s moving up in the pocket or rolling/scrambling. 

If you watch his last few games vs the games last season vs SF, Rams and Detroit it’s like we’re watching a different QB.  He has zero confidence throwing the football. It’s mental 

[NoSaint]

6 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

The first few games of the season, I kept pointing out (in real life) how Allen was frequently and masterfully stepping UP in the pocket and often THROUGH the pocket between OC and LG, or LG and LT. It was amazing how natural it was for him time and again. He was moving forward and usually finding a throw or a few yards. Then something changed around about the Saints game (and definitely the Pats game), usually the point in the season where DCs have enough film to make opponent-specific adjustments. 

 

Now Allen seems downright jumpy and out of sync. Not diagnosing Ds or setting protections pre-snap as well as he should. Throwing off-platform and inaccurately. Indecisive/in-between in his decisions. 

 

But we've seen this before. He can be streaky. He can be frazzled. Remember how many seasons we spent watching the first few offensive snaps so closely to determine if Allen was psyched-out OR dialed-in? Like which Allen are we getting today? Gotta call the first drive like a 2-minute drill to start with a positive play, even if it's a short pass. Then maybe follow it up with a designed QB run to get Allen some contact and shake him out of his own head. I don't think #17 looked fully present and in control today until about the time he was pulled from the game. 

 

that first half of your post is exactly why I question if he’s protecting himself a little extra - whether injury or constant chirp in his ear about health.