3 key stats from the Buffalo Bills win over the Pittsburgh Steelers
By Joe Cook
Josh Allen's Big Time Stat Line
The biggest reason the Buffalo Bills earned their first playoff victory of the season was because of another great playoff performance from star quarterback Josh Allen. From the opening drive, Josh Allen was locked in and dealing. He finished the game through the air by going 21 of 30, with three touchdowns, 203 yards, and a passer rating of 121.9. Allen faced a blitz on 44.1% of his dropbacks and averaged 2.51 seconds throw, which ranks as the fourth quickest of his career. Allen went 14 of 17 for 85 yards and two touchdowns on quick throws.
Two of Allen’s touchdowns went to his tight end’s Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. The first was a nine-yard pass placed perfectly between zone coverage to Knox. Later on in the first quarter, he rifled a gorgeous 29-yard pass to impressive rookie Dalton Kincaid for another score. His third and final touchdown pass of the night came on a 17-yard YAC (yards after catch) pass to wide receiver Khalil Shakir, which proved to be the nail in the coffin.
Allen once again was a difference-maker with his rushing ability. He carried the ball eight times for 74 yards and tacked on another touchdown. The NFL’s regular season total touchdown leader tallied four total touchdowns in his first playoff game of the year. Allen’s rushing touchdown was a 52-yarder that featured power running and jukes, as he recorded the longest postseason run in franchise history.