NFL QB Stock Report, Week 15: Has 'Unstoppable' Josh Allen Locked Up MVP?

Even after a loss, the NFL marvels at his unique ability to dominate a game.

The Buffalo Bills superstar, MVP favorite and No. 1 quarterback in these rankings, overwhelmed the Los Angeles Rams' defense for the second straight game on Sunday, completing 22 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns and leading the rushing attack 82 yards and three more trips to the tip zone. He became the primary player in NFL history to attain three points within the air and on the bottom in the identical game. Allen led the Bills on 4 consecutive touchdown drives to finish the sport, nearly erasing a 17-point deficit within the fourth quarter before losing 44-42.

The Rams weathered Allen's onslaught by superbly managing the sport while he was tied to the sideline. They blocked a punt for a touchdown, converted 11 of 15 third downs and didn't punt until the fourth quarter.

It was the thirty second time in his profession that Allen had a passer rating of at the least 108 in a game – and the primary of those games that he lost. He also fell to 18-2 in games by which he was involved in at the least 4 touchdowns.

It just goes to point out how much the Rams — or another opponent — may have to do right on offense and special teams to face up to Allen's barrage.

“He’s so talented and clearly capable of taking over a game,” said an offensive line coach who recently played against the Bills. “I just have to find a way to hang in there and make them earn everything and try to prevent the big plays. “But he was unstoppable at times.”

Allen has completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 3,033 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He also has 416 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He was even credited with a receiving score in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, bringing his total touchdown tally to 33.

It may come as a surprise, but Allen's passing numbers have declined compared to recent seasons. He posted the third-highest completion percentage of his career, but his yards per game (233.3) would be his fewest since 2019. He is on pace to throw exactly 30 touchdown passes, which would rank fourth in his seven seasons .

And it's not because he runs more. His 32 rushing yards per game would be his fourth-most, although his nine points on the ground tied for his second-most.

According to a longtime defensive coach who faced the Bills this season, the root cause of his success was reducing turnovers. He was intercepted on just 1.3 percent of his passes, which would be a career-best mark, and he went seven games without a pick.

“He plays extremely fast,” said the defensive coach. “If you look at the turnovers and how he plays while defending the ball, that is the key to his success this season. What has prevented him from becoming completely dominant over the last three years is the ball losses. (This year) he works on time and in rhythm. He made good decisions, was responsible for more from a defense perspective, and still made great plays like everyone has come to expect from him.

“Because of his legs, he is an extremely strong cover in the third period, in the red zone and in two minutes. His production in the red zone is through the roof this year. He was always difficult to defend down there, but he avoids losing the ball, which happens too often for a player of his caliber.”

Allen, who has never won an MVP award, delivered in the decisive period in Week 11, handing Kansas City its only loss. After the Chiefs cut the Bills' lead to 23-21 midway through the fourth quarter, Allen converted two third downs before a 26-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-2. Up until this point, Lamar Jackson looked like a runaway MVP candidate.

On 4th-and-2 with 2:27 left in regulation, Josh Allen fell behind before breaking off a 26-yard TD run.

Allen only had a 1.2% likelihood of scoring a touchdown after tucking the ball away to run. It was Allen's first profession scramble TD run against the Chiefs.

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More importantly, Allen's ability to be a difference-maker makes the Bills appear like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. They must be significantly better on defense than they showed in Los Angeles, which they will prove this weekend once they visit the 12-1 Detroit Lions. If the Bills can beat a second favorite behind Allen's strong play, postseason expectations will undergo the roof in Buffalo.

“He can beat you in a lot of ways,” one executive said. “If you let him sit in the pocket, he will tear you apart. If you attack him, he will stand by and not bat an eye, or he will hit you with his legs. He is so big and strong that defenders fall off him. It's fun to watch him. So much poise and control on the field.”

Another defensive coach said, “It's brutal” each preparing for Allen after which adjusting the plan in the course of the game.

“Even if you set your mind to something, he can create a spectacular playoff script and get himself out of trouble,” said the second defensive coach. “You have to constantly change the look before and after the snapshot. You also need to keep it in your pocket. If you don’t do that, you have no chance.”

So yes, Allen has a solution for all the things – at the least when he's on the sphere.

Still in command

Jayden Daniels' breakout start put the Washington Commanders within the playoff race and accelerated the brand new regime's rebuilding process much faster than expected.

So it was a light surprise when the rookie quarterback and the Commanders snapped a three-game losing streak in November. They snapped the slip with a blowout win over the Tennessee Titans and face a visit to the New Orleans Saints at the tip of their bye week. From there, they’ve a likelihood to avenge two of those losses once they tackle the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, with one other vital game in between against the Atlanta Falcons.

They will proceed to depend on the number 2, so their adjustments during game week shall be paramount.

Although there was a natural inclination to query whether the defense had caught up with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's game plan – a preferred criticism when he was coach of the Arizona Cardinals – some executives thought it was overblown.

More likely, it was only a rookie quarterback hitting the proverbial wall for the primary time in his young profession.

“Every defense presents its own challenges, and some schemes fit together better than others,” noted an assistant coach. “It’s probably more just him trying to figure things out week by week.”

It's a natural progression for all young quarterbacks. Once there’s enough tape, the defense finds recent ways to attack, after which it's as much as the QB to counter. With that in mind, it was an awesome time for a bye week.

Daniels was also under more pressure. He has been sacked 12 times in his last 4 games and has intercepted 4 times in that point. In his first nine games, he was sacked 17 times and had two interceptions.

“Function of the offense,” said a senior executive. “Take the pressure off and the high-turnover throws will increase.”

Suffice it to say, Daniels' early success was no ruse. Rivals coaches and executives imagine he shall be nice after failing to develop for a number of weeks.

It shall be Maye

Drake Maye and the New England Patriots also had a bye last week, but this quote was too good not to make use of.

“He’s that kind of guy,” one executive said. “You absolutely made the choice. They were patient in the draft, waited and got their guy. That was great. He has such a strong arm. This arm is real. He's a leader, just a great person. You have the right man.”

It's taken longer than the Patriots would have liked, however it looks like they've found their next franchise quarterback.

Injury notices

Saints quarterback Derek Carr has a severe fracture in his left hand and is predicted to be out for at the least several weeks, in accordance with a league source. The Saints haven't publicly named their starter, so Jake Haener made his roster debut by replacing Carr on Sunday.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell suffered a bone bruise in his knee, in accordance with a league source. He wasn't excluded this week, so he remained within the rankings.

Dropped out: Carr (left hand fracture, concussion), No. 26 last week; Trevor Lawrence (concussion), No. 29 last week.