Grading Josh Allen’s Week 16 performance against the Patriots
By Aaron Tully
This is the 15th entry into the 2021 Josh Allen Game Grades series. Each week, Josh Allen’s numbers, decision-making, and overall performance will be reviewed and given a letter grade.
In Week 16, the Buffalo Bills picked up a massive win in Foxborough, defeating the New England Patriots 33-21 to retake the AFC East lead.
The Bills started out trying to have a balanced offense, but in the second half, they went very pass-heavy. Josh Allen attempted 47 passes on the day, completing 30 of them.
On those 47 attempts, Allen threw for 314 yards, three touchdowns, and had a 104.4 passer rating. Allen averaged 6.7 yards per attempt, a slight improvement from the 6.1 he averaged in last week against Carolina.
Allen and Diggs connected seven times for 85 yards and a score. In what was perhaps the most important play of the game, Allen found Stefon Diggs to convert a key third-down late in the fourth quarter with a masterful display of improv from the duo.
Allen established an excellent rhythm with Isaiah McKenzie, who took over Cole Beasley’s role. Allen found McKenzie 11 times for 125 yards and a touchdown where Allen threaded the needle, and McKenzie made a nice catch in the back of the end zone.
Allen was Buffalo’s leading rusher on the day, carrying the ball 12 times for 65 yards. One of those rushes was a key fourth and one conversion where Allen made a beautiful side-step move en route to an eight-yard first down run that would extend the eventual game-sealing drive.
Josh Allen’s decision-making was excellent in this contest. He took what New England’s defense gave him, and shredded them for the second time in his career.
Week 16 Grade: A+
This was the best game that Josh Allen played all year, and he receives an A+ grade for his efforts. Allen had torn a great New England defense to shreds in a performance that is sure to get him back in the MVP conversation.
Josh Allen and the Bills will head back to Orchard Park next week for the first game of their closing homestand against the Atlanta Falcons. Josh Allen and the Bills control their own destiny in the AFC East.
Must Read. Buffalo Bills 2022 7-Round Mock Draft. light
Previous Grades for Josh Allen in 2021:
Week 1: C
Week 2: C+
Week 3: A+
Week 4: B
Week 5: A+
Week 6: A-
Week 8: B
Week 9: F
Week 10: A
Week 11: D+
Week 12: B+
Week 13: B
Week 14: A-
Week 15: B