Josh Allen blew Monday’s playoff game wide open with a 52-yard touchdown scramble to give the Bills a cozy 21-0 lead over the Steelers, and he was able to split a group of four defenders near the 40-yard line to break free the rest of the way.
Allen’s ability to split those defenders seemed to be aided by a stutter step from Allen, as the Pittsburgh defenders seemed to hesitate, seemingly believing Allen might be going into a slide. Instead, Allen turned the jets back on to get to the end zone.
Has the quarterback slide, and the increased roughing the passer calls and personal fouls, led to plays like that? Boomer and Gio discussed on Tuesday morning.
“The defenders don’t know what to do,” Boomer said. “Is it on the quarterback? Is it on the referees or defenders?
“The defenders, because of what happened to Josh Allen later in the game, where he did slide and he was it and there was a flag thrown…That’s what the defenders are afraid of happening.”
The Steelers were indeed whistled for a penalty for hitting Allen later in the game, and Gio said it was the perfect example of the rule becoming an issue.
“What are you supposed to do when you’re a defender and you have to tackle the guy?” Gio said. “He’s massive and he’s running all over you. That’s a tough decision to make in a split second.”