The Buffalo Bills lost to the Houston Texans in overtime on Saturday, which marks a heartbreaking end to a really surprising and fun Bills year.
Buffalo’s season may be over. But what we will always have was Josh Allen’s performance on Saturday. That magnificent day of lunacy we will perhaps never see in the playoffs again.
One criticism we read about a lot of quarterbacks these days is that they are overly cautious. Checkdowns and quick outs may not be sexy, but they won’t get you benched, and for lots of NFL quarterbacks, they’re just trying to keep it simple.
On Saturday afternoon, Josh Allen did not try to keep it simple. I’m not even sure Josh Allen was playing football at some points. Josh Allen was ripping double guitar solos with fireworks coming off the fretboard and a dang live tiger on the stage.
In overtime, Josh Allen threw a 50-yard pass to his fullback in double coverage, and we all forgot about it like three plays later because he did something else nuts, probably. I’m not sure. I blacked out at one point.
He attempted laterals that made no sense. He had a chance to win the game in regulation, took a ridiculous sack, then got the nod to go for it on 4th-and-27, and … took another ridiculous sack.
This wasn’t like watching some doofus play Madden. This was like watching some drunk doofus play Madden, and it was exhilarating. I felt alive.
We need more football like this. Forget Drew Brees and his precision. Forget Tom Brady and his calm execution under pressure. I want Josh Allen out there, every game, playing free jazz on his kazoo while simultaneously attempting a cartwheel.
Situational awareness and decision making are for the birds. Close your eyes and mash the controller buttons, Josh, you beautiful man.
We need Josh Allen in every playoff game. I need that big beautiful dolt heaving throws and lateraling to god knows who and making us all have the time of our lives.
So thank you, Josh Allen. Thank you for today. It’s a day I won’t soon forget.
