If not now, when? That is the query many had been asking about quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills as they entered the NFL playoffs.
Buffalo has made seven straight postseason journeys however has but to succeed in a Tremendous Bowl with eighth-year veteran Allen as its beginning QB. The Payments’ 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars within the AFC wild-card spherical on Sunday suggests that will quickly change. Listed below are 4 takeaways from Buffalo’s win:
Josh Allen could also be the very best QB standing within the AFC playoffs
With Patrick Mahomes (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs) and Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) out of the playoffs, that offers Allen and Co. a a lot simpler path to the Tremendous Bowl. Allen, after all, has misplaced to Mahomes 4 instances within the playoffs and to Burrow as soon as.
Now that Allen has cleared one in every of his largest obstacles — successful his first street playoff sport — that solely will increase his probabilities of main Buffalo on a deep postseason run. Of their subsequent matchup, the Payments will face the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers or Houston Texans. Allen offers his group a transparent edge at QB in any of these potential matchups, significantly in opposition to the Broncos second-year QB Bo Nix.
Allen’s well being might be a priority for the remainder of the postseason. In opposition to Jacksonville, He was checked for a head injury and battled hand and leg accidents. Nevertheless, these did not appear to affect him. The QB accomplished 28-of-35 passes for 273 yards and one landing go. He additionally rushed for 33 yards and two TDs on 11 carries.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence blew an opportunity on the largest win of his profession
Lawrence has already gained a playoff sport (a 31-30 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Chargers within the AFC wild-card spherical in the course of the 2022 season). Beating 2024 league MVP Allen, although, would’ve been the largest win of his profession.
For a lot of the sport, it appeared like he would pull it off. Lawrence accomplished 18-of-30 passes for 207 yards and three TD passes and rushed for 31 yards on six carries. Nevertheless, he threw two interceptions, one in every of which got here on Jacksonville’s last drive.
With 0:54 seconds remaining within the sport, Lawrence fired a go over the center, however the ball was batted within the air, and security Cole Bishop grabbed the interception.
