Josh Allen has been so clumsy and careless these past few months that if he chose acting, unpredictable filmmaking would be his new genre.
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Are the Bills imploding because of their quarterback’s repeated gifts to opposing defenses? No, not at the moment, but it’s high time their leader pulled himself together and became worthy of his position again.
For those who say that one game doesn’t make a season, please note that this is absolutely true. In his sixth year, Allen has proven so much that he can be a gem of a quarterback that it would be rude not to give him the benefit of the doubt. One can even assume that the doubts of the moment will disappear in a few weeks.
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However, his terrible game with four turnovers last Monday against the Jets is nothing more than a simple anomaly. Seven times since last season, the Bills center has had games with at least two turnovers. With 19 turnovers, he also led the league in this unenviable category in 2022.
Double-edged knife
Since entering the NFL in 2018, Allen has suffered 84 turnovers, the most in the league. The fact that he took crazy risks with the ball in his first year is one thing. The fact that he continues to do this so often after five full seasons is concerning.
The problem is that you can’t tie down a thoroughbred player like Josh Allen by constantly asking him to settle for low-risk plays. Her physical assets are so spectacular that it would be like owning a Ferrari and keeping it in the locked garage. Or teach a Formula 1 driver to enjoy the ecstasy of hitting the brakes.
Getty Images via AFP
Allen said it himself after Monday’s loss: The way he plays the important quarterback position is a double-edged sword. Its unique effect may make you forget about brain cramps, but how bearable are cramps?
Against the Jets, his three intercepted passes posed unnecessary risks, sometimes even in full double coverage. He also completed only four of his nine passes for 15 yards or more through the air and fell victim to interceptions over just that distance.
Find the limit
Allen will always be a bit of a cowboy in his approach. We need others like him. On the other hand, his pass interception rate rose from 13th in 2020 to 17th in 2021 and ultimately fell to 22nd last year.
The Bills can tolerate Allen’s tendency to do too much because he has games where he carries the team on his back. But when a quarterback is among the worst in the league in pass-interception rate, the game becomes too dangerous. There’s nothing like a change of heart to break the rhythm of an attack and sabotage troop morale.
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The defense adapts
After the 2021 season, several defensive coordinators around the league grew tired of being hit with big home runs. They adapted their cover systems so that enemy attacks relied on single attacks.
Quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes have adapted to this reality and, although they still run for the fence from time to time, have learned to settle for what the defense gives them.
So far, Allen just seems to be allergic to this mold.
The fear of the Bills and their fans is not that Josh Allen has suddenly regressed and is no longer a good quarterback. That would be an implausible conclusion.
What’s more worrying is that Josh Allen’s rebellious style shows he will never be safe from a terrible game with a lot at stake.
WEEK 2
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
- Minnesota to Philadelphia EAGLE
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Green Bay at Atlanta (1 p.m.) FALCON
- Las Vegas at Buffalo (1 p.m.) BILLS
- Baltimore at Cincinnati (1 p.m.) BENGAL
- Seattle at Detroit (1 p.m.) LIONS
- Indianapolis at Houston (1 p.m.) TEXAN
- Kansas City at Jacksonville (1 p.m.) Chiefs
- Chicago at Tampa Bay (1 p.m.) BEARS
- LA Chargers at Tennessee (1 p.m.) CHARGER
- NY Giants at Arizona (4:05 p.m.) GIANTS
- San Francisco at LA Rams (4:05 p.m.) 49ERS
- NY Jets at Dallas (4:25 p.m.) COWBOYS
- Washington at Denver (4:25 p.m.) BRONCOS
- Miami in New England (8:20 p.m.) DOLPHINS
MONDAY
MY DECISIONS
- New Orleans, Carolina (7:15 p.m.) SAINTS
- Cleveland at Pittsburgh (8:15 p.m.) STAHLER
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS : 9 in 16 (56.3 %)
THE CHOICES OF NEWSPAPER
Green Bay Packers (1:0) v. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
NOT EASY TO RACE
Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier Getty Images via AFP
Both teams showed good things in the first week. The Packers need to strike early in the game to take away from the Falcons what they really do on offense, which is run repeatedly. Quarterback Desmond Ridder didn’t show much last Sunday, but the running duo of Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson is ideal. Robinson is becoming more explosive and the Packers gave up 150 or more rushing yards eight times last year with a unit that has barely changed.
Las Vegas Raiders (1:0) v. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
MORE RACE
The Bills need to diversify their offense by getting the ball to James Cook. Getty Images via AFP
Josh Allen deserves credit for not hiding by taking the blame for the loss to the Jets, the victim of four turnovers. There are his mistakes, but also the fact that he keeps getting unnecessarily hit on plays where he was able to avoid contact. However, aside from Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ defense won’t stifle him like the Jets’ defense will. It might be time to give second-year running back James Cook more responsibility.
Baltimore Ravens (1:0) v. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Time to get back on your feet
Life wasn’t easy for Joe Burrow against the Browns. Getty Images via AFP
Joe Burrow and the Bengals will never have a performance as pathetic as they did last week, twice in a row. We told you how much Burrow always struggled against the Browns, but we fell for it anyway. Life smiled on him more against the Ravens. Against them, he averaged 311.2 yards, with 15 touchdown passes in five starts. If he remains truly neutral, it’s because his calf hasn’t healed as well as he’d like to say.
Seattle Seahawks (0-1) v. Detroit Lions (1-0)
Lesson in humility ?
Aidan Hutchinson will try to bully Geno Smith and the Seahawks. Getty Images via AFP
What if the worst had happened to the Lions, they had beaten the Chiefs in Week 1 and thought they had reached the top of the mountain? They seem completely serious and we won’t be predicting any such implosion for them this week. The Seahawks will be better this season than their dismal, failed theatrical debut last Sunday, but their two starting blockers, Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, are lame. On the other hand, Aidan Hutchinson is rubbing his hands over this scenario.
Indianapolis Colts (0-1) v. Houston Texans (0-1)
SURPRISING DEFENSE
Will Anderson Jr. gets the Texans defense going. Getty Images via AFP
In addition to the fact that two rookie quarterbacks are going head to head, it’s worth noting that the Texans’ defensive front looked very good last week despite the loss to the Ravens. Defensive players hit Lamar Jackson seven times, including four quarterback sacks. Anthony Richardson is also a mobile quarterback, but no more so than Jackson. Young quarterback chaser Will Anderson looks dominant. That can make the difference in this duel.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) v. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)
NOT TWICE IN A ROW
Chris Jones will be back after his contract dispute. Getty Images via AFP
The Chiefs are counting on the return of tackle Chris Jones, as well as tight end Travis Kelce. It will be a welcome reinforcement and the Chiefs receivers will never be as nasty as they were in the first game. Patrick Mahomes has mastered the art of rebounding, as after a loss his career record is 13-3, with 42 touchdown passes in those games. The Jaguars will be a good opponent, but they don’t have the resources to put pressure on Mahomes.
Chicago Bears (0-1) v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
A mirage ?
The Buccaneers won their first game of the season. Getty Images via AFP
The Buccaneers boast a win, but doubts remain. They scored just 20 points and managed a paltry 242 yards on offense, although their defense gave them three turnovers against the Vikings. There are still questions about this offense, whose ground game is pathetic (averaged 2.2 yards on 33 carries last Sunday). Well, it’s not like Justin Fields and the Bears were more convincing. Heads or tails…
Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) v. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
TOWARDS THE END ?
Ryan Tannehill had a tough outing against the Saints. Getty Images via AFP
If it weren’t for Ryan Tannehill’s pathetic performance with three interceptions and only 16 of his 34 passes completed, the Titans would have every chance of toppling the Saints. It can be assumed that in his case it won’t take long and that head coach Mike Vrabel could call on his two young backup quarterbacks Malik Willis and Will Levis if necessary. The Chargers defense gave up 536 yards on Sunday, but the offense will get the job done.
New York Giants (0-1) v. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
Things that need to be forgiven
Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Getty Images via AFP
Let’s hope the Giants got all the bad things out of their system in their extremely stinky first game. They have what it takes to bounce back against the Cardinals, but the state of their offensive line is concerning due to Andrew Thomas’ injury. The good news is that the Cardinals defensive front wouldn’t hurt a fly. The poor cards still fought well last week. It’s a bit like the drama. Your highest potential has been reached.
San Francisco 49ers (1:0) v. Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
THE PURDY EFFECT
Brock Purdy has had no shortage of opportunities to celebrate in recent months. Getty Images via AFP
The 49ers aren’t all about Brock Purdy, but when the young quarterback plays, he inspires the offense. In the 10 games he led (excluding his quick exit in the conference finals), the offense averaged 29 points and 18 touchdowns through the air. He plays with great confidence while the carrier, Christian McAffrey, is a monster. The Rams surprised last week, but the Niners have their No. 1 seed with eight wins in nine games, five of them by more than a touchdown.
New York Jets (1:0) v. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
FROM AARON TO ZACH…
Zach Wilson takes control of the Jets offense. Getty Images via AFP
The Jets can say whatever they want…they have full confidence in Zach Wilson over Aaron Rodgers. He gained experience and maturity. It is well supported and will serve its purpose. The official speech is sweet as hell, but the reality is that only defense can save this team. If Wilson can do the minimum without too many turnovers, the Jets will remain competitive. That would be asking a lot against the Cowboys, who have led the league in turnovers for two years.
Washington Commanders (1-0) v. Denver Broncos (0-1)
NEW BRONCOS ?
Russell Wilson will try to revive the Broncos. Getty Images via AFP
After all that has been said about the impact of Sean Payton’s arrival on the Broncos’ offense, it’s hard to get excited about the first tryout. Russell Wilson didn’t play badly, but only managed 177 yards through the air on 27 completions. He only added a small meter to the ground. We won’t bury her after a week. The Commanders’ attack didn’t convince anyone against the Cardinals either. Don’t sweat this TV pain, but the Broncos will bounce back.
Miami Dolphins (1-0) v. New England Patriots (0-1)
SHOCK OF DIVISION
Tureek Hill and Jaylen Waddle continue to hold their own. Getty Images via AFP
Despite the loss, the Patriots limited the damage and did pretty well defensively against the Eagles. So we shouldn’t think that the Dolphins will allow themselves as much of an aerial backlash as they did against the Chargers last week. If it’s a low-scoring game, the Dolphins could struggle with their more demanding football. However, it’s hard to see where the Patriots will find the speed to consistently slow down Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Restrict you? Yes, but don’t neutralize them.
New Orleans Saints (1:0) v. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
CARR WELL SUPPORTED
Chris Olave is one of Derek Carr’s top targets. Getty Images via AFP
Will rookie quarterback Bryce Young be more convincing than he was when he started? He didn’t do anything great in Atlanta and on paper he faces a more intimidating defense. He could be improving week to week, but his receivers aren’t helping him much, aside from a few flashes from another rookie, Jonathan Mingo. Derek Carr looked good in his first game with the Saints and benefited from three receivers (Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Michael Thomas) contributing.
Cleveland Browns (1-0) v. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)
REVERSED ROLES
TJ Watt is the centerpiece of the Steelers defense. Getty Images via AFP
In week one, the Browns were among the big winners, suffocating the Bengals, while the Steelers looked like toddlers in diapers against the 49ers. So why trust the Steelers? Because their defense should benefit from the fact that the Browns lost star tackle Jack Conklin. As a reminder, the Steelers have won 20 straight home games and 19 straight home games against the Browns entering Monday night.