The Buffalo Bills’ season came to a dramatic and disappointing end in the divisional round, falling 33-30 in overtime to the Denver Broncos-a game that saw Josh Allen put up big numbers, but also costly turnovers. Now, as the Patriots prepare for their first AFC Championship appearance since 2018, the conversation around Allen and the Bills has taken a sharp turn.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and a die-hard Patriots fan, didn’t hold back on social media. While hyping up New England’s postseason run, he took a not-so-subtle jab at Allen’s playoff track record.
“Let’s do it for Sean McDermott who never got to a Super Bowl. Let’s do it for Josh Allen who has never gotten to a Super Bowl.
Let’s do it for all Dolphin fans who haven’t been to a Super Bowl in 42 years. Let’s do it for all Jets fans who haven’t been to a Super Bowl in 57 years,” Portnoy tweeted.
It’s a reminder of the pressure that comes with being one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks without a Super Bowl appearance. Allen’s performance against Denver was a mixed bag-he threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns while adding 66 rushing yards.
But two interceptions and two fumbles told the other side of the story. In a game that demanded near-perfection, the turnovers proved too much to overcome.
Meanwhile, the Patriots have found new life behind second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The former first-round pick has blossomed into a star, throwing for over 4,300 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions this season.
His three-touchdown performance against the Texans propelled New England to a 14-3 record and the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Now, they’re just one win away from a Super Bowl return.
Maye’s rise comes as Allen and the Bills enter a period of transition-and possibly reinvention. Buffalo’s coaching search is in full swing following another postseason letdown, and interestingly, Josh Allen seems to be playing a central role in the process.
The team recently interviewed retired quarterback Philip Rivers for the head coaching position, but even if Rivers doesn’t land the top job, the Bills reportedly want him on staff in some capacity-possibly as quarterbacks coach. According to reports, Rivers and Allen share a strong relationship that dates back to 2018, when Rivers worked with Allen ahead of the draft. They also share the same agent, and NFL insider Albert Breer noted that Rivers’ interest in Buffalo is directly tied to Allen.
Buffalo also interviewed Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn, marking their sixth coaching interview so far. But the Rivers connection is especially intriguing, not just because of his experience, but because of what it signals: the Bills are leaning into Allen’s influence as they chart their next chapter.
Allen’s talent is undeniable. But after another season that ended short of a Super Bowl, the focus now shifts to how the Bills can build around him-on the field and on the sideline. Whether it’s a new head coach, a familiar face like Rivers joining the staff, or a new offensive philosophy, Buffalo knows it needs to recalibrate if it wants to turn its promise into postseason success.
And as the Patriots surge forward with a young quarterback who’s already delivering on his potential, the contrast couldn’t be sharper. One team is ascending. The other is searching.