As the postseason for the National Football League is close to becoming finalized, there have been a couple of teams at the top of mind for most fans. The reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, have been on a tightrope walk of excellence, going through the year with only one loss after a string of one-score results. The other team garnering attention has been the Detroit Lions. This long-downtrodden franchise has become rejuvenated over the past few years, and this season has seen them develop into a powerhouse.
Advertisement
But quietly operating in their shadows, has been another dominant team that has slowly demanded attention, dominating in the climes of northern New York. The Buffalo Bills, while usually regarded as an impressive franchise, were considered this season to be taking a step back slightly, given injuries and the departures of some key names from the roster. Instead, they have been a force, as the always impressive Josh Allen at quarterback has seemingly stepped up his game to lift up this team. In the process, the Bills locked up their division and a playoff slot earlier than others. And they are doing so with a number of head-turning historical firsts.
This weekend, they traveled to Detroit in what many fans were anticipating to be a shootout, and the gunslingers on both sides did not disappoint. Jared Goff achieved just shy of 500 yards passing and five touchdowns, but it was not enough to get past Allen, who went for 430 yards and four TDs — two passing and two running. When fans saw a 35-21 score, it was one many had anticipated – but that was just the total at the end of the 3rd quarter. The two squads then combined for 34 points scored in the final frame. That delivered the first of the firsts: The score with the Bills winning 48-42 was a figure never before seen as a final tally in league history.
Advertisement
To go along with that, this marked another scoring milestone for the Buffalo franchise. Last week in Los Angeles, they lost another gunfight, 44-42. This means they become the only team in NFL history to have back-to-back games where both teams scored 40 points or more. The Bills have suffered many roster setbacks on defense so they have been relying on Allen to power the team to a win – something he seems more than willing to undertake.
In Detroit, Allen became the first player in NFL history with two scores rushing and passing, as well as throwing for over 400 yards and seeing 60 yards rushing in the same game. Also, he became the first player ever to have multiple touchdowns, both passing and rushing, in consecutive games. In doing so, he has passed Cam Newton for the most career games with two passing scores and a rushing touchdown. And he has recorded more than that this season.
In last week’s game in L.A., he became the first player ever to have three passing AND three rushing touchdowns in a single game. Also, the week prior, in a snow-driven blowout against the 49ers, Allen achieved the rare feat of scoring a passing touchdown that he threw. After Amari Cooper caught a shallow pass in the Red Zone, he was met by a defender, but Cooper was turned back and made a lateral to the trailing Allen, who then turned the corner and lunged for the touchdown. This meant he was credited for a touchdown, both passing and receiving, on the same play, only the fourth player to ever score a TD on a pass that he threw.
Advertisement
Additionally, it meant he became only the tenth player ever to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown all in the same game. As a result of all of this, Allen has played his way into becoming a favorite for MVP, and the Bills are a legitimate contender for the championship, with some believing Sunday night’s game with the Lions could have been a Super Bowl precursor. This year, Buffalo has defeated Kansas City, Detroit, and San Francisco – all three teams that made the conference championships last season.
