During a sideline report on FOX early in Sunday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Washington Football Team, it was mentioned that Bills coaches told Josh Allen not to always go for chunk plays. They told him he should look to take simple underneath throws so he can get into a rhythm.
That was exactly what Allen did from the Bills' very first drive of the game, and it continued through his three-plus quarters of action.
After completing just 56% of his passes in the first two games of 2021, Allen completed 74% of his throws against Washington, while piling up 358 passing yards and four touchdowns in Buffalo's 43-21 win at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
I can’t say enough about the game plan that was put together by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. By emphasizing short-to-intermediate throws and having Allen get the ball out quickly, the Bills were able to neutralize Washington’s front-four, which is the strength of their defense.
Allen and company took advantage of linebackers and defensive backs who have been struggling in coverage. The high percentage throws helped Allen build some confidence and get into that early rhythm.
You could see it on the Bills' very first possession. Allen’s first pass was incomplete, maybe a bit too much mustard on a short throw to running back Devin Singletary. After that, Allen went 5-of-5 for 80 yards, and made a nice throw for a 28-yard touchdown to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
That throw was vintage Allen. He was flushed out of the pocket, rolled to his right, threw on the run (into the wind, by the way) and into a tight spot for Sanders, who made an outstanding diving catch.
This was easily Allen’s best game of the young 2021 season. He looked comfortable in the pocket and was in complete control of the offense. Allen was accurate, decisive and had very good zip on his passes, as opposed to some throws in the first two games when it looked like he was hoping/wishing a throw to its target.
In addition to the touchdown throw to Sanders, Allen threw a perfectly-placed bomb to Sanders for a 41-yard gain. He also put a touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox exactly where it needed to be.
On Sanders' second touchdown catch in the third quarter, Allen went with his fastball and zipped the throw to the back of the end zone.
When Washington was able to get a pass rusher through the protection, Allen did what he does best by using his legs to either climb the pocket or get out on the edges to complete a pass.
It had to have been a very frustrating day for Washington, its defensive line and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. At some point, I can envision Del Rio throwing his arms up in the air in disgust and saying, "What else can I do?"
I was getting a little worried about Allen. Not about whether last year was a fluke, but more about where his head was at.
The day after the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins, Daboll told reporters Allen was a little down. During his Wednesday media session, Allen talked about how he hadn’t played great and what he might be doing wrong.
I’m glad Allen is his own harshest critic, but I didn’t want anything to snowball, in terms of his confidence level. He looked extremely confident in Sunday's win in front of the home crowd.
All-in-all, a stress-free Bills game, and I’m all for those since that will not be the case in two weeks against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.
