Josh Allen didn’t just win a football game on Sunday - he reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous players in the league, regardless of what’s happening around him. The Bills were banged up on the offensive line, the wide receiver room was inconsistent at best, and there was a costly goal-line fumble by James Cook.
Still, none of it mattered. Because when Allen is locked in like he was in Week 14, few - if any - can match his impact.
He was surgical through the air, averaging 9.0 yards per attempt, tossing three touchdowns, and adding another score with his legs. He accounted for over 300 yards of offense and flat-out outplayed Joe Burrow.
Allen finished with a passer rating of 139.7 and posted a QBR of 96.4 - the best of any quarterback that week. That wasn’t just a good day; it was a statement.
And at this point, it’s hard to argue against it: Josh Allen is playing the best football of any quarterback in the league.
The Shift at the Top: Allen Over Mahomes?
For years, Patrick Mahomes has been the standard. Three Super Bowl rings, two MVPs, and a highlight reel that’s already Hall of Fame-worthy. But lately, the gap has closed - and Allen may have overtaken him.
From 2018 to 2023, Mahomes had a passer rating of 106.0 and led the Chiefs to just 16 total losses over five seasons. But in the last three years, that passer rating has dipped to 92.5, and Kansas City has dropped 14 games in that span - even with a 15-1 mark in 2024 when Mahomes starts. The numbers tell a story of a quarterback still playing at a high level, but not quite the transcendent force we saw earlier in his career.
His yards per attempt have slipped to 7.0, and the Chiefs’ offense has hovered around league average. To put that in perspective, even Russell Wilson - who’s had a rollercoaster of a run lately - has averaged more yards per attempt (7.1) and a higher passer rating (97.0) over the same stretch. Mahomes is still elite, but the lack of consistent weapons has taken a toll.
Allen’s Rise, Despite the Chaos
Meanwhile, Allen has been thriving in Buffalo amid his own storm of challenges. Injuries have hit the offensive line hard.
Keon Coleman, expected to be a key weapon, has been a healthy scratch multiple times. Dalton Kincaid, his top tight end, has battled through injuries.
And the wide receiver room has been a revolving door of inconsistency.
But through it all, Allen has delivered. He’s averaging 8.2 yards per attempt - a career high - and his 102.9 passer rating is actually better than during his MVP campaign last year.
Oh, and for the third straight season, he’s hit double-digit rushing touchdowns. That dual-threat ability isn’t just a bonus - it’s a nightmare for defenses.
Buffalo is now just one win away from securing a seventh-straight season with 10 or more victories. And while the defense has taken a step back - they were No. 1 in scoring defense in 2021 but have declined since - the Bills are still firmly in the mix in the AFC. That’s almost entirely because of Allen.
He hasn’t had an Andy Reid on the sideline. He hasn’t had Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce catching passes for most of his career.
And yet, over the last three seasons, Allen has accounted for 38 more touchdowns than Mahomes. That’s not a typo.
That’s dominance.
The MVP of the Moment
There’s a difference between being the best quarterback over the course of a career and being the best quarterback right now. Mahomes has the rings and the résumé. But Allen has been the more impactful, more consistent, and more dangerous player over the last few seasons.
And here’s the thing - as long as Allen is healthy and under center, the Bills are never out of any game. Injuries, weather, bad bounces - none of it matters when you’ve got a quarterback who can take over the game with his arm, his legs, and his will.
He’s the best player in football right now. And if he keeps this up into January, that won’t just be the opinion of Buffalo fans - it’ll be the consensus across the league.