Why Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen Deserves More Respect

We need to stop saying that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is overrated. And after an anonymous NFL executive made a similar claim about Allen’s play, former NFL quarterback turned analyst Dan Orlovsky explained why such claims are unfair.

When Orlovsky was tasked with responding to comments referring to Allen as “one of the most overrated players in the NFL” on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday, he didn’t hesitate.

“This source is an idiot,” Orlovsky said.

The gamer turned expert then explained in more detail where he came from.

“Josh Allen is two or three games away from becoming a multiple Super Bowl quarterback,” Orlovsky said, “and potentially a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. That’s a silly statement.”

And honestly, Orlovsky is 100% correct. While Allen isn’t on the same level as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (and that’s right, no one is), he’s still one of the best in the game today. As Orlovsky alluded to, Mahomes’ greatness makes people underestimate other quarterbacks from the same era.

In six NFL seasons, Allen, 28, has thrown for 22,703 yards, 22 total touchdowns — both passing and rushing — and has a 63.2 percent completion percentage. Allen has 167 passing touchdowns and 78 interceptions in his career, a ratio bested only by Mahomes over the same span.

Allen just completed his fourth consecutive season of passing over 4,000 yards. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a one-time second-team All-Pro (2020).

Sure, Allen’s detractors will point to his 5-5 playoff record. But Allen’s career shows why it’s not always fair to hold a team record against an individual, even a quarterback. In the playoffs, Allen threw for 2,723 yards while posting a 64.6 completion percentage and a staggering touchdown-to-interception ratio of 21 passing touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Elite players are expected to step up their game in the playoffs and the numbers show Allen has done just that.

It’s also important to look at the Bills’ playoff losses with Allen at the helm. Three of Allen’s five playoff losses have come against Mahomes, a peer who has already reached four Super Bowls and won three of them. And Allen has likely done everything he could in those losses. Allen has played well despite losing twice to the Chiefs in the divisional round and once with the AFC title on the line.

Allen has posted a quarterback rating of at least 80 in each of those battles with the Chiefs and is averaging 267.3 yards and 2.3 touchdowns in those games. More importantly, he has only recorded one interception in the three games against the Chiefs combined. It’s not like Allen has let his team down with his play in big games.

For context, Allen’s other two playoff losses came in his first career postseason game and a loss to Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

While it’s fair to acknowledge that Allen isn’t on Mahomes’ level (again, no one is), too much commentary about him is unfair, especially when he’s likely on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.