5 reasons the Dolphins still haven’t closed the gap with the Buffalo Bills
By Khari Demos
5. Buffalo Bills have the best quarterback – Joshua Patrick Allen
I think above all, the fact that No. 17 is suiting up for the Buffalo Bills is the reason why Miami has not closed the gap. After many scolded the team for taking him No. 7 overall in 2018, Allen has emerged into the superstar stratosphere in the league.
Not only does he have 87 total TDs (73 passing, 14 rushing) and 10,135 total yards (8,951 passing, 1,184 rushing) since 2020, Allen’s 2,325 rushing yards rank second only to Lamar Jackson (3,673) for QBs since they were both drafted in ’18.
In that same span since entering the league, Allen’s 31 rushing TDs are top amongst all quarterbacks.
That rushing upside is major for a player with the ability to strike in the pocket. That’s the extraordinary trait that Allen brings to the table over Tua. And it’s not about Tua being bad, he just may not bring anything special.
In 23 career games, Tua has only had three 300-yard passing games, he’s only had more than two TD passes in a game once, and he’s never topped 40 rushing yards in a game. A 66.2% completion rate and 77.1% on-target throw rate are both great. But those stats don’t scream special necessarily.
With 33 total career TDs and 17 total TOs, it’s safe to say there’s still no reason to believe Tua will be a superstar player. And yes, some “nonsuperstar” QBs have won Super Bowls — Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Nick Foles, to name a few.
But it’s that much harder to do that in today’s day and age, especially in this new-look AFC though too. Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, and Derek Carr all reside in it now, and they don’t figure to be going anywhere any time soon.
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The top of that heap, though, may be Allen. And when you combine a veteran group, with a strong connection between the GM and coaching staff, and a guy who may be the best player on the planet, it’s hard to pick against a team like the Buffalo Bills. Even when teams make flashy moves like the ones Miami did.