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Patriots coach Bill Belichick will likely be dealing with Bills quarterback Josh Allen for the rest of Belichick’s New England career. And each time the two teams prepare to play against each other, Allen will have an extra boost of motivation.
During last night’s broadcast, ESPN’s Brian Griese said at least twice that Belichick is not on board Allen’s concept as an MVP candidate.
“Talking to him this week, he didn’t believe in Josh Allen’s craze, ”Griese said during the pre-game show, via Ben Volin’s Boston Globe. “He said, ‘You know what? In fact, we played a very good defense against Josh Allen when we played in November. ‘”
Griese said just before the start of the second half, after discussing Allen’s less impressive numbers during the first Patriots-Bills game of the season: “This is part of the reason why Bill Belichick told us this week that he was not buying on Josh Mania’s Allen MVP, because he didn’t see her in that first game. He said: ‘We took care of him in that game’, but tonight was a different story. “
After the game, reporters asked Belichick about his exchange for a production meeting with the ESPN team.
“Yes, I don’t know what they said,” said Belichick. “I’m registered with that.”
This last part seems to be a nod to the reality that most things said at NFL production meetings are treated as off the record. Certainly, if Belichick was conveying the notion that he is not fully on board the Josh Allen movement during a production meeting, Belichick would not want it to be shared with the rest of the world.
“They said you said you didn’t believe the Josh Allen MVP craze sometimes,” said a reporter in response. “Is that a fair interpretation of what you said to them?”
“I said several times that Josh Allen is a good football player, he played well and is having a good year,” said Belichick.
Allen is having a great year, punctuated by the performance of 27 of 36 the night before, which generated 320 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. For the season, he completed 69.1 percent of his shots (both for accuracy), 4,320 yards, 7.9 yards per attempt, 34 touchdown passes, nine interceptions and a passer rating of 106.4.
And now the Patriots, after years of consistently handling accounts, may be settling into a very different reality. Especially if Allen is consistently reminded of Belichick’s opinion as each future Patriots game approaches.
Then again, Allen won’t need much motivation when facing the Patriots.
“I know this game,” said Allen of the division rivalry with New England. “That, if they didn’t want to admit it, meant a lot to both sides and there is a lot of pride at stake.”
Bills came out with all the pride and everything to distribute a 38-9 loss to Patriota. Allen and the Bills will love the chance to continue doing this, twice a year, for as many years as they can.