Despite fickle fans, Josh Allen is still a Top 3-5 QB

being able to lead us where we need to go.

Yesterday’s loss wouldn’t affect JA’s top end ranking

and the Bengals are peaking at the perfect time, shit happens. I'd be thrilled to have Allen, that's what you call solving the QB problem.

I think that the Damar Hamlin incident hurt them mentally.

They were already a bit wobbly before that game — they were trailing and the Bengals were playing much better before Hamlin's emergency — but I think most people expected Hamlin and his recovery to be an inspiration for them down the stretch.

I think it was the opposite. But watching their teammate lying there basically dead, and having to be resuscitated, has to have shaken them. I suspect it dinged their focus the rest of the way.

is get a better running game around him that is more from the backs. He is asked to carry that team to much imv.

Playing in the northeast it is important to have that in the playoffs where yesterday weather's impacted the game. Cincy on the other hand had a easy time on the ground and it showed the benefit.

I haven't heard anyone say that. Would be dumb to say so. People forget he hurt the UCL....and he did miss Daboll. Still put up 35 Td's to 14 picks. He's a stud but they need to tweak things.

I can't believe it's even in dispute that he's still a top five QB. Yes, he struggled yesterday.

In any moment of honesty, if you study his prior playoff efforts in '20 and '21, you realize he did everything humanly possible to drag the Bill deeper into the playoffs.

Unfortunately, Mahomes and McDermott got in the way.

The problem with Buffalo isn't Allen. It's McDermott and very likely Brandon Beane.

In comment 16010325 JonC said:

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and the Bengals are peaking at the perfect time, shit happens. I'd be thrilled to have Allen, that's what you call solving the QB problem.

Especially with Daboll. You can see Allen is suffering that loss of Daboll as he makes too many dumb decisions with the ball without him.

which may have affected his play.

In comment 16010365 Johnny5 said:

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In comment 16010325 JonC said: Quote: and the Bengals are peaking at the perfect time, shit happens. I'd be thrilled to have Allen, that's what you call solving the QB problem. Especially with Daboll. You can see Allen is suffering that loss of Daboll as he makes too many dumb decisions with the ball without him.

I checked into this theory:

In 2021, last year with Daboll, Allen was:

63% completion%, 36/15 TD/INT, 6.8 YPA, 66+ QBR, 763 yards rushing, 6 rushing TDs, 5 fumbles.

In 2022, Allen w/out Daboll:

63% completion%, 35/14 TD/INT, 7.6 YPA, 71 QBR, 762 yards rushing, 7 rushing TDs, 8 fumbles.

Not much difference, really. Two more total turnovers. But better QBR, higher YPA, better winning record, and same PPG for the Bills (28+).

Between Allen this year and last year. I think he played hurt down the stretch, and he relied a little too much on hero ball (chucking it long on 3rd and short, the red zone turnovers, etc.), but you could make the case he was pressing because of deficiencies elsewhere (no running game, shaky D).

McDermott and Frazier are the main issues. They're supposed to be D specialists and I don't see them elevating the D when it matters most. This is a big off-season for them, they clearly need stronger O and D lines, but they also have some salary cap finagling to do.

but he shit the bed yesterday. It happens...

I can name 1 qb (Mahomes) who you can legitimately feel is better and I would still take Allen. Who on earth are these other three qbs that would bump him down?

In comment 16010364 bw in dc said:

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I can't believe it's even in dispute that he's still a top five QB. Yes, he struggled yesterday. In any moment of honesty, if you study his prior playoff efforts in '20 and '21, you realize he did everything humanly possible to drag the Bill deeper into the playoffs. Unfortunately, Mahomes and McDermott got in the way. The problem with Buffalo isn't Allen. It's McDermott and very likely Brandon Beane.

Come on man, Allen played hero ball and was part of them problem yesterday and last week. It’s ok to critique this guy, he isn’t bulletproof. I’d love to have him, but he’s been an issue this post season and has been more careless in 2022 as a whole.

to impact the QB in both good and bad ways. QB is a reflection of the team and also the most important player. As they go so goes the team. As the team goes so goes the QB.

Allen is a great player but he isn't the QB that transcends things in my view. Most if not all QBs reflect this with maybe 1-2 exceptions from every era.

..

In comment 16010365 Johnny5 said:

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In comment 16010325 JonC said: Quote: and the Bengals are peaking at the perfect time, shit happens. I'd be thrilled to have Allen, that's what you call solving the QB problem. g Especially with Daboll. You can see Allen is suffering that loss of Daboll as he makes too many dumb decisions with the ball without him.

This narrative about Daboll is just that, a narrative. Allen had virtually the same numbers this year as last year including producing td's running and passing and int's. The narrative does not bear close scrutiny.

The Bengals managed two things yesterday they hadn't done well most of the year- run the ball and defend the pass. That made all the difference.

His arm may not be 100%. That can affect passes and timing of them just enough to make a difference.

Over rated. Hes very good, but not as good as the hype. He cant win when it counts as demonstrated year after year.

In comment 16010408 bhill410 said:

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I can name 1 qb (Mahomes) who you can legitimately feel is better and I would still take Allen. Who on earth are these other three qbs that would bump him down?

Mahomes
Burrow
Hurts
Trevor lawrence
Could argue Justin herbert

In comment 16010467 Straw Hat said:

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Over rated. Hes very good, but not as good as the hype. He cant win when it counts as demonstrated year after year.

Yeah, he only threw for 329 yards and 4 TDs in KC last year, including two TDs that gave the Bills the lead with less than 2 minutes left. I guess he personally should have stopped the Chiefs from getting into game-tying FG range in 13 seconds, then stopped them from scoring on the first possession of OT.

What an idiotic take.

last year was an all time slug match and Mahomes got the ball last, that happens. This year he does deserve heat but it isn’t some indicator he can’t win. I’m definitely taking Mahomes over him but after that he’s neck and next with Burrow. Allen is no worse than the 3rd best QB in the league.

In comment 16010507 rsjem1979 said:

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In comment 16010467 Straw Hat said: Quote: Over rated. Hes very good, but not as good as the hype. He cant win when it counts as demonstrated year after year. Yeah, he only threw for 329 yards and 4 TDs in KC last year, including two TDs that gave the Bills the lead with less than 2 minutes left. I guess he personally should have stopped the Chiefs from getting into game-tying FG range in 13 seconds, then stopped them from scoring on the first possession of OT. What an idiotic take.

Sorry my opinion got you so fired up man.

But he's surely behind at least Mahomes and Burrow, and possibly others.

It seems if he doesn't play hero ball the Bills can't win.

In comment 16010421 UConn4523 said:

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In comment 16010364 bw in dc said: Quote: I can't believe it's even in dispute that he's still a top five QB. Yes, he struggled yesterday. In any moment of honesty, if you study his prior playoff efforts in '20 and '21, you realize he did everything humanly possible to drag the Bill deeper into the playoffs. Unfortunately, Mahomes and McDermott got in the way. The problem with Buffalo isn't Allen. It's McDermott and very likely Brandon Beane. Come on man, Allen played hero ball and was part of them problem yesterday and last week. It’s ok to critique this guy, he isn’t bulletproof. I’d love to have him, but he’s been an issue this post season and has been more careless in 2022 as a whole.

I wrote that Allen struggled yesterday.

I posted the stats above between Allen of 2021 and 2022. Where is this morre carelessness?

which shows the bigger underlying issue. The OL could not create the paths for the backs. This creates all sorts of problems when you face good defenses. Then in the corresponding worse down/distances it makes it harder on everyone Allen included. Cincy had no such issues either running the ball or having a D that could stop Buffalo's. Ball game.

We'll see if he can rebound next year, but he was reaelllly sloppy with the ball most of the year.

just didn’t get the sense that you are willing to put a good chunk of the blame on him. Their HC can’t keep him from playing recklessly, and to me it looked like the Bengals had him figured out from the get go. He stayed in the pocket too long and missed some throws. And this came after a really poor game last week too.

I don’t think it’s a trend but it should be acknowledged.

Over Allen.

at home in the playoffs in conditions that are supposed to favor Bills

He deserves all the criticism he is getting

Only Mahomes is clearly better
Burrow might be better
Lawrence will likely be better in the future.

I don't think Herbert and Hurts are in the conversation yet.

he doesn't make a lot of mistakes, he strikes when he should attack, and has ice in his veins. Allen is the riverboat gamble with the big arm etc, he's got to improve the decision making and keep it consistent. Suspect that's where Daboll helped check him.

.

In comment 16010396 Chris in Philly said:

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but he shit the bed yesterday. It happens...

+1

The GOAT (not Phil or Eli) shit the bed the night before. It happens.

In comment 16010595 UConn4523 said:

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just didn’t get the sense that you are willing to put a good chunk of the blame on him. Their HC can’t keep him from playing recklessly, and to me it looked like the Bengals had him figured out from the get go. He stayed in the pocket too long and missed some throws. And this came after a really poor game last week too. I don’t think it’s a trend but it should be acknowledged.

During the game, I wrote almost exactly what you wrote. Allen was staying in the pocket too long and wasn't using his mobility to get outside the tackles to either run or throw. So, I have no issue criticizing Allen's performance.

Buffalo was averaging 32 PPG at home this year. To only score 10 points is very poor. Granted, Cincinnati has been playing very good D under the highly underrated DC Lou Anarumo.

BTW, Allen had one turnover. That was late in the game when the outcome was decided.

But let's get to McDermott. McDermott made his bones on the defensive side of the ball. That's his specialty. Yet, he and Frazier got steamrolled by Burrow executing Taylor's game plan. And could never make the right adjustments at home with "Bills weather". Cincy dominated in everything: first downs, yardage, time of possession, third down conversions, etc). So, you can't evaluate yesterday's game and leave McDermott out of the line of fire.

Are Jalen Hurts or Justin Herbert better than Josh Allen. No way.

Buffalo had two big things it wanted to accomplish this past offseason which was run the ball better from the backs and stop the run. These are the two things they could not do well enough and it showed up in KC last year and other parts of the season.

Looking at yesterday they again have the same two issues. How much is the HC versus the GM front office is debatable imv.

Beat the shit out of the Bills on both lines of scrimmage. That was the game.

In comment 16010696 short lease said:

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In comment 16010396 Chris in Philly said: Quote: but he shit the bed yesterday. It happens... +1 The GOAT (not Phil or Eli) shit the bed the night before. It happens.

You have to start worrying about the turnovers though. Second highest number of picks and third highest number of fumbles in 16 (not 17) games. Then 2 picks and a fumble lost (among 3 fumbles) against Miami (which they were lucky to win), and another pick yesterday. Four turnovers in two playoff games ain't gonna get you to the Super Bowl.

Jones was ripped as a turnover machine after 12 picks and 11 lost fumbles in 13 games as a rookie behind a sieve of a line. This year he had just 5 picks and 3 fumbles lost. An experienced Allen just had 19 turnovers in 16 games behind a good line. And he had 3 INTs and 1 fumble lost in two playoff games compared to Jones' 1 INT and no fumbles lost. Allen's completion percentage has also dropped from over 69 percent two years ago to about 63 percent the last two years. He's good, but the turnovers are a concern.

In comment 16010652 JonC said:

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he doesn't make a lot of mistakes, he strikes when he should attack, and has ice in his veins. Allen is the riverboat gamble with the big arm etc, he's got to improve the decision making and keep it consistent. Suspect that's where Daboll helped check him.

I like Burrow better than Allen. The guy is just a winner. Just my stupid opinion though. Only QB I see better than Burrow is Mahomes, and I flip flop on that.

In comment 16010396 Chris in Philly said:

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but he shit the bed yesterday. It happens...

I just think people need to get out of their head that QBs aren't going to make mistakes.

It's not Madden.

In comment 16010598 bhill410 said:

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Over Allen.

I like Burrows a lot but I'm still taking Allen.

We also should be making the case Burrows has some super talent around him (minus the OL).

In comment 16010648 Vanzetti said:

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Only Mahomes is clearly better Burrow might be better Lawrence will likely be better in the future. I don't think Herbert and Hurts are in the conversation yet.

Like this take. And IMO if you give Allen to Andy Reid I expect better results. He just lost his OC who made our offense functional. Fuck. Not sure other than the 3 guys you mentioned in Burrow Lawrence and Mahomes there anyone else very close until shown as you mentioned . .

The other two need to show me a more . Hurts has that chance next and it will answer a lot of those wanting to see if more.

In comment 16010767 k2tampa said:

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In comment 16010696 short lease said: Quote: In comment 16010396 Chris in Philly said: Quote: but he shit the bed yesterday. It happens... +1 The GOAT (not Phil or Eli) shit the bed the night before. It happens. You have to start worrying about the turnovers though. Second highest number of picks and third highest number of fumbles in 16 (not 17) games. Then 2 picks and a fumble lost (among 3 fumbles) against Miami (which they were lucky to win), and another pick yesterday. Four turnovers in two playoff games ain't gonna get you to the Super Bowl. Jones was ripped as a turnover machine after 12 picks and 11 lost fumbles in 13 games as a rookie behind a sieve of a line. This year he had just 5 picks and 3 fumbles lost. An experienced Allen just had 19 turnovers in 16 games behind a good line. And he had 3 INTs and 1 fumble lost in two playoff games compared to Jones' 1 INT and no fumbles lost. Allen's completion percentage has also dropped from over 69 percent two years ago to about 63 percent the last two years. He's good, but the turnovers are a concern.

I am not sure I was clear ... I definitely confused my nights. I am getting old.

I was talking about Tom Brady's performance against Dallas which was on Monday night 1/16. Brady looked like shit.

The secret to the bills success

The problem for Buffalo is that Burrow & Mahomes are better QBs and neither are going anywhere anytime soon.

In comment 16010364 bw in dc said:

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Unfortunately, Mahomes and McDermott got in the way. The problem with Buffalo isn't Allen. It's McDermott and very likely Brandon Beane.

That may be the dumbest thing you ever posted. So the guy that drafted Allen and most of the team and the coach that put it all together got in Allen's way???? And it was Burrow yesterday, Mahomes was last year.

Allen is an all world talent with a 50 cent head. The guy takes on DTs and LBs when he runs. He is extremely gifted and they went out and got him a gifted WR. He is so good he gets away with his mistakes until he meets an equally gifted team.
In the end, sometimes you just play a team that performs better on that day.

John Elway couldn't win a Super Bowl until he was almost out of the league. Probably had a better arm than Allen, too. But for years he got close, but lost out.

In comment 16011004 section125 said:

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In comment 16010364 bw in dc said: Quote: Unfortunately, Mahomes and McDermott got in the way. The problem with Buffalo isn't Allen. It's McDermott and very likely Brandon Beane. That may be the dumbest thing you ever posted. So the guy that drafted Allen and most of the team and the coach that put it all together got in Allen's way???? And it was Burrow yesterday, Mahomes was last year. Allen is an all world talent with a 50 cent head. The guy takes on DTs and LBs when he runs. He is extremely gifted and they went out and got him a gifted WR. He is so good he gets away with his mistakes until he meets an equally gifted team. In the end, sometimes you just play a team that performs better on that day. John Elway couldn't win a Super Bowl until he was almost out of the league. Probably had a better arm than Allen, too. But for years he got close, but lost out.

McDermott absolutely is a major problem. He totally botched the end of the game last year and very likely cost the Bills a Super Bowl appearance and his coaching in the Miami game as far as game management was beyond awful and yesterday not much better.

They should move on from McDermott, he has taken them as far as he can but he's been badly outcoached in the playoffs every year he's been there. Allen put the team on his shoulders last year and they would have beat KC if McDermott had a clue

that Allen missed Daboll so much this year is odd. His numbers this year weren't off his usual turnover numbers by much and other areas he was better.

McDermott is the easiest change and I'm confident he's not the guy to get them over the hump