As the Buffalo Bills prepare for their final road game of the regular season this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the stakes are crystal clear: win, and with a little help from either the Texans or Colts losing, they’re headed back to the postseason. That would mark six straight playoff appearances for Buffalo-a testament to the consistency and resilience of a team that’s weathered more than its fair share of adversity this season.
At the center of it all, once again, is Josh Allen. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s this: Allen doesn’t need a star-studded supporting cast to shine. He’s the kind of quarterback who makes the most out of what he’s got, turning role players into reliable weapons and keeping Buffalo in the playoff conversation year after year.
Allen’s Elite Company
Allen has entered rarefied air among quarterbacks who elevate everything around them. Think Tom Brady in his early New England days or Dan Marino slinging it without a dominant run game.
That’s the kind of territory Allen is starting to occupy. He’s doing more with less-and doing it at an MVP-caliber level.
What makes this even more impressive is the current state of Buffalo’s offensive arsenal. James Cook has emerged as one of the NFL’s most productive running backs, giving the Bills a reliable ground threat.
The tight end room is deep, with Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid, and rookie Jackson Hawes all contributing. But when it comes to wide receivers, the picture is a little different.
Khalil Shakir has arguably become Allen’s most dependable target, but he’s not your traditional WR1. He’s a slot specialist-quick, smart, and tough-but not the kind of guy who typically draws double coverage or stretches the field like a Ja’Marr Chase or Tyreek Hill. And yet, Allen continues to produce at a high level, carrying this offense with a combination of arm talent, mobility, and sheer will.
Around the AFC: Star Power vs. System Strength
When you look around the AFC, it becomes even more clear how unique Allen’s situation is.
Patrick Mahomes, for example, has had the benefit of playing with one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history in Travis Kelce. For years, he also had Tyreek Hill-a game-breaking receiver who could change a game with one touch.
Even this season, Mahomes had Rashee Rice and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in the mix. But a shaky run game, injuries across the offensive line, and ultimately Mahomes’ own season-ending injury proved too much to overcome.
The Chiefs are out of the playoffs, and “Chiefs Kingdom” is left wondering what could’ve been.
Joe Burrow? He’s got Ja’Marr Chase, who might be the most dangerous receiver in the league right now.
Chase is a matchup nightmare, a modern-day Randy Moss in terms of explosiveness and impact. Add in Tee Higgins as a No. 2-who would be a WR1 on many teams-and you’ve got a receiving corps that makes life a whole lot easier for Burrow.
The Bengals also have a reliable run game, with Chase Brown on pace for nearly 1,000 rushing yards in just his third year.
Drake Maye, the young signal-caller for the Patriots, is still developing, but he’s already drawing comparisons to Allen. That’s in part because he’s now throwing to Stefon Diggs-yes, the same Diggs who once helped Allen take the next step in Buffalo. Diggs had a big game against his former team earlier this season, but there’s still a long way to go before we can talk about Maye in the same breath as Allen.
Lamar Jackson is another quarterback surrounded by talent. He’s got Derrick Henry pounding the rock, Mark Andrews as a top-tier tight end (when healthy), and Zay Flowers emerging as a legitimate receiving threat. Baltimore has built an offense around Jackson’s unique skill set, and it’s paying dividends.
But here’s the thing: if you take away Chase and Higgins from Burrow, or Kelce and Hill from Mahomes in his prime, do they still produce at the same level? That’s the question that separates Allen from the pack.
We’ve already seen him do it without a true WR1, without a dominant O-line, and often without a consistent run game. And yet, he keeps delivering.
What Comes Next
With a playoff berth on the line, Allen has another opportunity to remind everyone why he’s one of the most complete quarterbacks in the game today. He’s already proven he can win ugly, win big, and win late in the season. Now, the challenge is to carry that momentum into January-and maybe, finally, into February.
Buffalo’s road hasn’t been easy, and it won’t get any easier. But with Josh Allen under center, they’ve always got a shot. And that’s more than most teams can say.