Amidst high expectations leading up to the 2020 Buffalo Bills season, there was one big question that would give us pause: Would Josh Allen take the next step in Year 3?
Through the first four games, Allen has not taken a step. He has taken a gargantuan leap.
The Bills are 4-0 thanks to Allen. Let that sink in, Bills fans. The Bills are winning because of outstanding play from their quarterback. It's been quite some time since I was able to type those words.
If you'd like some numbers, Allen is second in the NFL in passing yards (1,326), touchdown passes (12), 20-plus yard completions (21) and 40-plus yard completions (4). He is also leading the fifth-highest scoring offense in the league. The Bills are averaging 30 points per-game, which is already 11 points higher than their average from last season.
Allen has looked amazing through the first quarter of the schedule. He is in complete control of Brian Daboll's offense. Allen has shown across the board improvement, including overall accuracy, deep throw completions, decision making, beating blitzes and making plays from the pocket. When the Bills need a clutch completion, Allen has come through time and time again.
Thanks, in large part, to the guy pulling the trigger, the Bills now have an offense that will give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares. The Bills are now the team where the opponent talks about needing to shorten the game against them, keep their offense off the field, and how field goals won't be enough to beat them. Basically all the things we would say about other explosive offenses over the years.
The game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday certainly had some stressful times, including the moment where Allen injured his left shoulder and headed straight to the locker room. There were some really scary thoughts going through my head until they showed Allen back on the sideline for the start of the second half.
Allen and the offense are the backbone of this team. Even when the Raiders pulled to within one point at 17-16, I wasn't worried about the outcome going in the Bills' favor because Allen and the offense were going to score. It was a given.
That's how much faith I have in them now.
The defense stepped up its game and stopped the Raiders on four straight drives in the second half, and the offense put the game in the win column with back-to-back touchdown drives.
The Bills front office has done a great job putting a talented roster around the third-year quarterback, but Allen has also raised his game to another level.
The tests will get tougher with the Tennessee Titans (assuming the game isn't postponed) and Kansas City Chiefs up next, and the first meeting with the New England Patriots just four weeks away.
We will see how Allen and company fare, but at this point, it's safe to say the Bills go into those matchups with their best offense since a guy by the name of Jim Kelly was leading them to four straight Super Bowl appearances.
