In a division that features a living legend in Tom Brady and the product of the biggest media market in the world in Sam Darnold, the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen has to be the most overlooked AFC East quarterback.
Even with the Bills’ posting a 10-6 record and earning their second playoff berth in three seasons, a rate of postseason return not seen since 1998-2000 when Wade Phillips was the coach, the story lines have surrounded the defense and not necessarily Allen.
However, Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien is not overlooking the accomplishments and talent of the 2018 first-round pick from Wyoming.
“I mean, this guy’s thrown for 3,000 yards and he’s got 500 yards rushing,” O’Brien told reporters Tuesday. “This guy is a dangerous player. He does a lot of things well. He’s a great competitor, never thinks the play’s over.”
Allen has produced 3,089 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in the air along with 510 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. In a league that did not feature the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson as an MVP candidate, Allen would be considered one of the top young dual threat quarterbacks.
Part of what makes the Bills formidable is Allen’s tenacity — whether in orchestrating four fourth quarter comebacks and five game-winning drives, or never quitting on a play.
“There’s the play that’s called in the huddle and then the play that may be run once the ball’s snapped because of his ability,” O’Brien explained. “He can escape, he can run, they have designed runs for him, and then obviously he scrambles, so he has the ability to scramble. It’s a big challenge for us.”
The challenge kicks off Saturday at 3:35 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium. If the Texans can get past Allen and the Bills, Houston will have collected their second playoff win in the O’Brien era and punched their ticket to either Kansas City or Baltimore — destination commensurate with whether or not the Tennessee Titans can knock off the New England Patriots.