Allen’s star rises in third season in Buffalo

Probably one of the more heartening stories of the 2020 season is the rise of the Buffalo Bills as a legitimate AFC force and with it, Josh Allen’s blossoming into an elite NFL quarterback.

Indeed, in his third year in the league, the 24-year-old native of Central California has broken out as a legitimate star, ranking in the top-10 in a slew of statistical passing categories (through 10 games), among them yards (2,871, first), completion percentage (68.4, eighth), touchdowns (21, sixth) and passer rating (103.2, eighth). He’s also rushed for 279 yards (third among starting QBs) and five TDs (tied for third).

Furthermore, his play calling and decision making have been exceptional and he’s given the Bills a chance to win in all but two games. At this writing, he’s the chief reason why the Bills are atop the AFC East and headed for their first divisional title since the 20th century.

But away from the numbers, Allen has proven himself to be a clutch performer. That was apparent in the Bills’ Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, when he led a 12-play, 78-yard drive that culminated in an Allen-to-Stefon Diggs TD strike with 39 seconds remaining that gave the Bills a temporary 30-26 lead. That the Cards’ Kyler Murray managed to wipe that out with his own 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown with two seconds left was deflating for the Bills and their fans. But they had to be thrilled with their young quarterback’s ability to rise to the occasion.

Allen and the Bills face perhaps their toughest test yet in 2020 when they play host to the AFC Northleading Pittsburgh Steelers in a game airing Sunday, Dec. 13, on NBC.