Josh Allen’s Heroics Have the Bills Charging Toward the Postseason-But the Eagles Await
Josh Allen is doing what Josh Allen does-putting the Buffalo Bills on his back and dragging them into the thick of the Super Bowl conversation, even as the roster around him shows some cracks. The reigning NFL MVP continues to deliver MVP-caliber performances, and as the regular season winds down, he’s once again the engine driving Buffalo’s playoff push.
In Week 16, Allen tweaked his foot in the Bills’ 23-20 win over the Browns. But in true Allen fashion, he’s expected to suit up this Sunday when the Bills host the Eagles in one of the weekend’s marquee matchups at Highmark Stadium.
And make no mistake-this game matters. A lot.
At 11-4, the Bills are riding a four-game win streak and still have their sights set on overtaking the New England Patriots for the AFC East crown. If they pull it off, it would be their sixth straight division title.
That kind of sustained dominance is rare in today’s NFL, and it speaks volumes about the foundation Buffalo has built-centered around No. 17.
On the other side, the Eagles are still trying to figure out exactly who they are. Despite sitting in a solid position record-wise, their recent wins came against the Raiders and Commanders-teams that haven’t exactly been lighting the league on fire.
Beating Allen and the Bills, in Buffalo, would be a different kind of statement. It’s the kind of win that could help the Eagles solidify their identity heading into the playoffs.
It’s one thing to beat up on struggling squads. It’s another to go toe-to-toe with one of the league’s most complete offenses and come out on top.
And speaking of that offense-Buffalo’s been cooking.
Through 16 weeks, the Bills boast the No. 3 offense in the NFL and the top-ranked unit in the AFC, averaging 373.1 yards and 28.9 points per game. That firepower has helped them claw back from deficits that would bury most teams.
Down 40-25 in the fourth quarter against Baltimore in Week 1? They won 41-40.
Trailing 28-18 in the fourth against Cincinnati? Another comeback win, 39-34.
And just two weeks ago, they spotted New England a 21-0 lead and still pulled off a 35-31 victory.
This team doesn’t flinch.
Allen’s numbers this season reflect both his consistency and his explosiveness. He ranks 10th in the league in passing yards per game (227.1), sixth in yards per attempt (8.0), and fifth in touchdown passes (25).
But that’s only part of the story. Allen’s dual-threat ability-his knack for extending plays with his legs and turning broken plays into highlight-reel moments-makes him one of the most dangerous players in football.
His size, speed, and instincts make him a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Just ask Vic Fangio.
“You got Josh Allen, that’s all you need to say,” the Eagles’ defensive coordinator said this week. “You got Cook, that’s all you need to say.
Their line is playing very well. They got a good group of tight ends.
The receivers have been playing good. They’re highly ranked in a lot of key areas on offense and it’s no accident.
Josh Allen is a little different. Just his size, his speed, his instincts, when it becomes a scramble game, what he can accomplish-he’s hard to tackle.
He’s so big and elusive. He’s a real dude.”
And Fangio’s not wrong-Allen is the kind of player who forces defenses to account for every inch of the field. But he’s not doing it alone.
James Cook has quietly become one of the most productive backs in the league. He leads the NFL in rushing with 1,532 yards and is the only running back averaging over 100 yards per game (102.1).
His emergence has added a new dimension to Buffalo’s offense-one that makes life even tougher for opposing defenses. If you key in on Allen, Cook can gash you.
If you load the box, Allen will make you pay through the air.
But while the offense is humming, the defense has its issues-especially against the run. The Bills rank 29th in the league in rushing defense, giving up 144.3 yards per game and over 2,100 yards on the ground this season. That’s a glaring weakness, and one that playoff-bound teams are sure to test.
The Eagles, meanwhile, bring a defense that ranks 12th overall, and they’re expected to have standout rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter back in the lineup. That’s a big boost for a unit that’s been leaning on its front line to set the tone. If Carter can help bottle up Cook and force Allen into more third-and-longs, the Eagles might be able to slow down the Bills’ offensive rhythm.
But that’s a big “if.”
The last time Allen faced the Eagles, it was a heartbreaker. On November 26, 2023, the Bills blew a 24-14 fourth-quarter lead and lost in overtime, 37-34. It’s one of the few blemishes on Allen’s résumé-Philly remains the only team he hasn’t beaten in his eight-year career.
That stat alone should have Allen locked in for Sunday.
This game has all the makings of a heavyweight bout. Two playoff-caliber teams, one MVP quarterback, a rising star at running back, and postseason implications on the line. The Bills are surging at the right time, but the Eagles are looking to prove they belong in the conversation with the league’s elite.
And with Josh Allen under center, you can never count Buffalo out.