Grieving QB Allen shines in Buffalo win

ORCHARD PARK, N. Y. » Josh Allen set aside his grief over the death of his grandmother to enjoy one of the most productive games of his three- year career.

Though Allen made no mention of his loss immediately following a 44- 34 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, coach Sean McDermott revealed Allen’s grandmother had died a day earlier while praising his quarterback’s resolve.

“Josh was emotional,” McDermott said. “He said he wanted to play and you know, he just felt like was going to have to compartmentalize for the better part of 24 hours to get through the game, and that’s what he did,” McDermott added. “It was a big, big win, and a great, great thing for him to play like he played. Just a mentally tough man.”

Allen got the Bills’ offense off to such a productive start, not even Russell Wilson and the high- scoring Seahawks ( 6- 2) could keep pace. Starting with a three- play, 45yard scoring drive, Allen threw touchdown passes on three of Buffalo’s first four possessions. He later added a rushing TD.

He finished 31 of 38 and equaled his career best with 415 yards passing. The AFC East- leading Bills are 7- 2 through nine games for the first time since 1993, a season that ended with the Jim Kelly- led Bills making their fourth consecutive, and final, Super Bowl appearance.

Allen deflected any praise, noting the defense forced Wilson to turn over the ball four times, and special teams contributions.

“As a whole team, we took care of business today,” Allen said. “Sitting here, 7- 2, we’re excited with what we can do and how we can play.”

Allen’s 24 completions and 282 yards passing in the first half alone were both the most by a Bills player since at least 1991.