NFL QB Stock Report, Week 15: Has ‘unstoppable’ Josh Allen locked up MVP?

Even in defeat, Josh Allen has the NFL marveling at his unique ability to dominate a game.

The Buffalo Bills superstar, MVP favorite and No. 1 quarterback in these rankings for the second week in a row steamrolled the Los Angeles Rams defense on Sunday, completing 22 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns while the rushing attack led with 82 yards and three more trips to the end zone. In doing so, he became the first player in NFL history to record three scores both through the air and on the ground in the same game. Allen led the Bills to four straight touchdown drives to close the game, nearly erasing a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit before falling 44–42.

The Rams survived Allen’s onslaught by brilliantly managing the game when he was stuck on the sideline. They blocked a punt for a touchdown, converted 11 of 15 third downs and didn’t punt until the fourth quarter.

It was the 32nd time in his career that Allen produced a passer rating of at least 108 in a game – and the first of those games he lost. He also fell to 18-2 in games when he had a hand in at least four touchdowns.

It just goes to show how much the Rams – or any other opponent – ​​will have to do well on offense and special teams to withstand Allen’s barrage.

“He’s so talented and obviously capable of taking over a game,” said an offensive coach who recently played against the Bills. “You just have to find a way to hang in there and make them earn everything and try to avoid the big plays. But sometimes he was unstoppable.”

Allen has completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 3,033 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He also has 416 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He even had a receiving score in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, bringing his total touchdown count to 33.

It may come as a surprise, but Allen’s death rate is lower than in recent seasons. He has the third-highest completion percentage of his career, but his yards per game (233.3) would be his lowest since 2019. He is on pace to throw exactly 30 touchdown passes, which would rank fourth. of its seven seasons.

And it’s not because he runs more. His 32 rushing yards per game would be his fourth-highest, although his nine scores on the ground are tied for his second-highest.

The real cause of his success, according to a longtime defensive coach who played against the Bills this season, is a reduction in turnover. He has been intercepted on just 1.3 percent of his passes, which would be a career-best, and he has played seven games without a pick.

“He plays extremely fast,” the defensive coach said. “If you look at the turnovers and how he plays while protecting the ball, that’s the key to his success this season. What has held him back from being completely dominant over the past three years has been turnovers. (This year) he operates on time and in rhythm. He makes good decisions, is in charge of more from a protection standpoint, while still making big plays like everyone has come to expect from him.

“He is an extremely difficult cover on third down, in the red zone and in two minutes because of his legs. His production in the red zone is through the roof this year. He was always difficult to defend there, but he avoided turnovers, which happened too often for a player of his caliber.”

Allen, who has never won an MVP award, delivered in critical time in Week 11 to hand Kansas City its lone loss. After the Chiefs cut the Bills’ lead to 23-21 midway through the fourth quarter, Allen converted two third downs before a 26-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-2. Up until that point, Lamar Jackson looked like a runaway MVP candidate.

On 4th-and-2, with 2:27 left in regulation, Josh Allen dropped back before breaking off a 26-yard TD run.

Allen had only a 1.2% chance of scoring a touchdown once he put the ball away to run. It was Allen’s first career TD run against the Chiefs.

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More importantly, Allen’s ability to make a difference makes the Bills look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. They need to be much better defensively than they showed in Los Angeles, something they will get a chance to show this weekend when they visit the 12-1 Detroit Lions. If the Bills can knock off a second top favorite after Allen’s strong play, postseason expectations in Buffalo will skyrocket.

“He can beat you in so many ways,” said one director. “If you leave him in the pocket, he’ll take you apart. If you blitz him, he will step in and not back down, or he will hit you with his legs. He is so big and strong that defenders fall off him. He’s fun to watch. So much poise and command on the field.

Another defensive coach said, “It’s cruel” to prepare for Allen and then adjust the plan during the game.

“Even if you set something up, he can create a spectacular play-off script and get out of trouble,” the second defensive coach said. “You have to constantly change the look before and after the photo. You also have to keep it in the pocket. If you don’t, you don’t have a chance.”

So yes, Allen has an answer for everything – at least when he’s on the field.

GO DEEPER

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Still in charge

Jayden Daniels’ red-hot start propelled the Washington Commanders into the playoff race and accelerated the rebuilding of the new regime much faster than expected.

So it was somewhat surprising when the rookie quarterback and the Commanders limped to a three-game losing streak in November. They broke the skid with a blowout win against the Tennessee Titans, and they’re coming off their bye week with a trip to the New Orleans Saints on the schedule. From there, they’ll get a chance to avenge two of those losses as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, with another big game against the Atlanta Falcons in between.

They will continue to rely on the No. 2 pick, so their bye week adjustments will be paramount.

While there is a natural tendency to wonder whether the defense has played catch-up with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme — a popular criticism when he was coach of the Arizona Cardinals — a few executives believed that was overblown.

More likely, it was just a rookie quarterback hitting the proverbial wall for the first time in his young career.

“Every defense brings its own challenges, and some schemes fit together better than others,” one assistant coach noted. “It’s probably more him trying to figure things out week by week.”

It’s a natural progression for all young quarterbacks. Once there is enough tape, defenses find new ways to attack, then it’s up to the QB to counter. In that sense it was a nice moment for a farewell week.

Daniels has also faced more pressure. He has been sacked 12 times in his last four games and has four interceptions in that span. He was sacked 17 times with two interceptions in his first nine games.

“Function of the crime,” said one director. “Increases pressure and turnover-worthy throws increase.”

Suffice it to say, Daniels’ early success was no ruse. Rival coaches and executives believe he will be fine after being down for a few weeks.

It’s going to be Maye

Drake Maye and the New England Patriots also had a bye last week, but this quote was too good not to use.

“He’s such a cutie,” said one director. “They absolutely made that choice well. They were patient in the journey, waited and got their man. That was great. He has such a powerful arm. That arm is the real deal. He’s a leader, just a great person. They found the right man.”

It took longer than the Patriots would have liked, but it certainly appears they have found their next franchise quarterback.

Injury notes

Saints quarterback Derek Carr has a significant fracture in his left hand and is expected to be out at least several weeks, a league source said. The Saints have not publicly named their starter, so Jake Haener made his senior debut as he replaced Carr on Sunday.

Las Vegas Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell suffered a bruise to his knee, according to a league source. He was not ruled out this week, which kept him in the rankings.

Failed: Carr (left fracture, concussion), No. 26 last week; Trevor Lawrence (concussion), No. 29 last week.

(Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)