Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen offers the promise of a better tomorrow

Given virtually no hope in Minnesota, the Buffalo Bills stunned the Vikings in large part thanks to the inspired play of rookie quarterback Josh Allen.

The Buffalo Bills have been searching for the next Jim Kelly, ever since the Hall of Famer retired following the 1996 season. If Sunday is any indication, then maybe….just maybe…that search is finally over.

The Bills entered Sunday’s contest in Minnesota at 0-2, with virtually every football analyst (and fan) understandably already writing off their playoff hopes for this season. The odds makers were no different, as they made them the third-biggest underdogs in NFL history.

With LeSean McCoy ruled out through injury, it was not expected to be pretty. The average predicted scoreline was 36.1-5.4 in favor of the Vikings.

What followed was a stunning turn of events, as the Bills stormed out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. By the time it was all said and done, they had secured an unlikely but thoroughly well-deserved 27-6 win.

More from Buffalo Bills

And one of the main reasons for the victory was undoubtedly the play of Josh Allen. Looking like anything but a rookie quarterback starting his first pro game on the road, he did everything needed — and more — to lead the way for the Bills.

While 196 yards through the air might not sound like much in today’s pass-happy NFL, it was the manner in which Allen achieved it. He averaged 8.9 yards per attempt, completed over 68 percent of his passes, threw a score and — arguably most important of all — no picks.

And this is before we get to the 22-year-old’s contribution to the ground game. He rushed for 39 yards and two scores, with his scramble on a third-and-nine for a first down — including a hurdle over linebacker Anthony Barr — arguably the highlight of the game.

This doesn’t mean Allen was without his struggles; for example, he fumbled three times. However, even here the Bills got some much-needed good fortune, as the Bills recovered all three.

Ultimately though, all that matter is that the team won and offered their fans the promise of a better tomorrow. The Bills may well still miss the playoffs this season, but at least their quarterback now gives the fans good reason to watch every week.

Allen was as impressive during his post-game interview, in terms of how measured and humble he was. As reported by Kevin Armstrong of the New York Post, he said:

"“I was just trying to ignite a spark in our offense and our team. I just want to win football games…I’m thankful they trust me to go get one yard (on his second scoring run in the second quarter) but our line did a great job on that play. They did a great job the whole game. I’m proud as heck of them because that is a tough defense we just played.”"

Of course it’s only one game, so its way too early to get too excited. It doesn’t get any easier next week, as the Bills will travel to Green Bay to face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

Regardless, if Allen can continue to develop then the sky is the limit for the team. Certainly, we know he has the arm strength, the mobility and the toughness required to succeed.

However, if the mental fortitude and poise the 2018 seventh overall draft pick showed under pressure on Sunday is replicated consistently, the Buffalo Bills really will finally have the quarterback they’ve been looking for since 1996. And who knows, maybe one day Allen can even help the Bills win the one game which alluded Kelly during his NFL career…

Next. Bills' top 10 first round picks of all time. dark

What was your take on Sunday’s game? How would you describe Allen’s performance? And how do you see the Buffalo Bills doing next week in Green Bay, against the Packers? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Home/Buffalo Bills