Jeffrey T. Barnes / Associated Press
Entering the AFC Wild Card Round clash on Saturday with the Indianapolis Colts, the Buffalo Bills went a quarter of a century without winning a postseason game. As such, it should not surprise anyone that this contest was a nail rodent that reached the final seconds.
Bills achieved that elusive victory, beating the Colts by 27-24 to proceed to the divisional round. But, as the game progressed, some things became evident at Bills Stadium.
The first is that Josh Allen is an excellent young quarterback who is about to win almost all the money ever.
The second is that negotiating with wide receiver Stefon Diggs last season was an absolute masterstroke by Bills’ general manager, Brandon Beane.
And the third is that these bills will go exactly as far into the postseason as the team’s quarterback and the number 1 wideout support them.
Even before the game started, the day had already started well for Allen, who statistically obliterated his career records this year on the way to a 13-3 record and the AFC East title. According to Adam Maya of NFL.com, colleague Ian Rapoport reported earlier in the day that the Bills must approach Allen in the off season with a “massive” extension offer that could make him the highest-paid defender in the league.
It’s a good job if you can – and based on what he did on Saturday, Allen is worth every penny.
The Wyoming third-year professional is unlikely to be named the league’s most valuable player at the NFL honor ceremony the day before the Super Bowl LV (looking at you, Mr. Rodgers). But based on what we saw on Saturday in western New York, it is difficult to argue that there is a more valuable player for your team.
Jeffrey T. Barnes / Associated Press
Simply put, Allen was Buffalo’s offense against the Colts. Facing an Indianapolis defense that ended the regular season in eighth place in the NFL, Allen was responsible for 355 of the team’s total of 397 yards on Saturday with his right arm or scrambling skill.
With running back Zack Moss on the sideline for much of the game after being eliminated with an ankle injury, it was Allen who led the team in the race with 54 yards in 11 races. He also scored Buffalo’s only quick touchdown in a five-yard run to end a 96-yard trip just before the break.
But it was when passing the ball that Allen really shone, just as he did throughout the season. He completed 26 of 35 shots (74.3 percent) for 324 yards and two scores, and his passer rating for the game was 121.6 strengths.
Buffalo’s first afternoon touchdown was a perfect example of Allen’s skills and improvements in 2021. When a race designed for the quarterback was interrupted, he didn’t just attack the defenders or make a bad decision with the ball. Instead, he calmly played for an open Dawson Knox by six points.
Good luck defending this.
It was not a perfect performance – Allen almost made a disastrous turn in a late dismissal. But those wrong decisions were more of an exception than a rule in 2020. The progress he showed over last year’s post-season defeat in Houston is really remarkable.
It is this progress that has put the Bills in the next round and will give Allen a big payout in the off season. When he cashes that signature bonus check, Allen may want to consider buying a nice fruit basket for Diggs. Or maybe a boat.
Because Allen wouldn’t have had the season he had if Diggs hadn’t joined the team in an exchange with the Minnesota Vikings.
In the regular season, Diggs caught 127 jaw-dropping passes for 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns. The first two numbers led the NFL and were the record for the Bills franchise. He didn’t slow down in the playoff victory over Indy at all: six receptions for 128 yards (21.3 yards per grab) and a scoreboard.
This 35-yard touchdown is a good microcosm of what Diggs meant for Allen’s development as a defender and the attack for Bills as a whole.
Yes. Good luck defending that too.
When talking to CBS Sports after the game, Allen was always anxious.
“Bills Mafia hasn’t been able to celebrate like that for a long time,” said Allen. “But again, it’s a game, you know? I’m happy to have a chance to play next week. We have to find ways to end it next week.”
The problem with looking ahead, however, is that smiles start to fade. Because if Saturday’s game were an indication, the road to Tampa for the Bills is clear.
Allen and Diggs are going to have to be upside down two more times.
The Bills were not an especially good racing team in 2020 – 20th in the NFL, with 107.7 yards per game. Allen was third in the team in this regard, with 421 yards in the regular season, and with NFL.com Mike Garafolo reporting that Moss may miss the rest of the postseason, Buffalo’s ground game was reduced to Devin Singletary and Allen.
Buffalo’s defense in 14th place was also not particularly useful against the Colts. The Bills were cut by a total of 472 yards, and Indy converted nine of 17 attempts at third down and stayed with the ball for more than 34 minutes. Buffalo did not force a take away or record a dismissal.
If Buffalo is divided at home like that by Philip Rivers and the Colts, what will happen to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Kansas City?
Adrian Kraus / Associated Press
Of course, this is a problem for another day. There will be at least one more game in Buffalo, be it against the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bills have already faced two such teams, being eliminated in Tennessee in week 5 and taking down the Steelers in Buffalo in December.
Whether it’s a rematch with the Titans or Steelers or an encounter with the Ravens doesn’t really matter. Overcoming that game and entering the AFC Championship will require the same amount that will be required to avenge a defeat in week 6 for the Chiefs.
Accounts will have to do what they do best.
And now, that means getting on Josh Allen’s back as he targets Diggs early and often.