Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen dazzles vs Browns, proves enough to start Week 1
The Buffalo Bills played the Cleveland Browns on Friday night in the Bills’ first road pre-season game of the year. Josh Allen went out there with the second unit and put on a clinic.
The Buffalo Bills are a team on the rise and that is not including the miracle that got them to the playoffs in 2017. Despite making the playoffs, they still understood their need for a QB in the NFL Draft.
We all know how that ended. The Bills traded up in the draft to get their guy. Josh Allen out of Wyoming.
Initially, it felt as if the Bills were getting a QB just for the sake of getting one. They practically grew on trees in the 2018 Draft. Then, at least to this writer, it felt like the Bills were trading up to get Josh Rosen out of UCLA at the time the trade was announced.
However, as of now, it seems like Josh Allen was the right call.
If we throw all predetermined narratives out the window and put aside what we think Josh Allen should be by now, then the results of the eye tests are encouraging,
Against the Panthers in Week 1 of the pre-season, Allen threw a TD, made a few nice throws, and did enough to not disappoint.
However, vs the Browns just over a week later, he did a lot more.
Allen not only led the Bills to three scoring drives, he made some great throws, expanded the pocket, and put a lot of people on notice.
https://twitter.com/SalSports/status/1030620087596797957
People often say that the pre-season does not count, but it does. A.J. McCarron was thrown in to start and his performance was lackluster.
Related Story. What TE is emerging for the Jets in camp?. light
Sure, it was a reality check because LeSean McCoy got reps as he would in the regular season. However, once Allen came into the game it just felt different.
Right away, Allen needed to call a timeout and there was miscommunication, however, he let his talent do the redemption.
Allen was not only given the green light to pass the football, he thrived. He led the Bills better than the QB before him.
Six first downs for the Bills on that Josh Allen touchdown drive. The Bills' offense had zero first downs on four drives with AJ McCarron in the game.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) August 18, 2018
The Buffalo Bills have seen this before, even in the pre-season. EJ Manuel was a first round pick but rarely showed this much skill sets all at once.
Tyrod Taylor, who is a darn good NFL QB, never used all his skills at once, still didn’t against his old team tonight.
However, Josh Allen used his big arm, pocket awareness, and size all night. There seems to be a solid reason why the Bills traded up to get him now.
What was once to me, a move that was made just to be made is now a brilliant step forward.
Sure, it is only the pre-season. However, it is perfectly okay to be excited about how Josh Allen made throws and looked aware.
No one is gloating about who he looked solid against or the time of the game he did.
However, what he did and how he did it is what is impressive. That is a lot different. The skill set and god given stuff is there with Allen. The rest has to come together.
The only way to know if it will all come together is to start him Week 1. Allen has the skill set to do it. But to find out if this is the place and time is a risk worth taking. He looked that good.
Next. Why the Yanks should not panic about Sevy. dark
Either way, that is a good start considering where the Bills have been with their QBs lately.