Image Credit: © Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is back. The thing is, he was never really gone.
To all those that doubted Allen after his performance in the first two weeks of the 2021 season, Sunday should suffice to silence any criticism. Allen finished the day 32-of-43 for 358 yards with four touchdown passes and another score on the ground. It was the fifth time in his young career that Allen has passed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in the same game.
Buffalo left no doubt who was in charge by building an early 21-0 lead. All three scores came from the arm of Allen, who hit Emmanuel Sanders with the game’s first touchdown at the 10:53 mark of the opening quarter. A seven-yard pass to RB Zack Moss and a 14-yarder to TE Dawson Knox put the Bills ahead 21-0 early in the second quarter.
© Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Two Bills’ miscues then allowed Washington back in the game, though only momentarily. Antonio Gibson caught a 73-yard touchdown pass from QB Taylor Heinicke for the Football Team’s first score. On the ensuing kickoff, Buffalo misplayed the football, and Washington recovered. It took just five plays for Washington to score on a four-yard run by Heinicke.
Washington wouldn’t score again until late in the fourth quarter. Two Tyler Bass field goals, the second coming on the first half’s final play, put the Bills up 27-14. Allen would find Sanders again in the third quarter, and he would score his final touchdown of the day on a two-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Bills defense would stop Washington on a 4th-and-1 at its own 23-yard line allowing Allen to score his 101st NFL touchdown just three plays later.
© Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The rushing touchdown by Allen was the 26th of his NFL career. That breaks the Buffalo franchise record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Jack Kemp held the previous mark of 25. Prior to today’s game, Allen had completed just 56 percent of his passes. It was reminiscent of Allen’s first two years in the league when he completed 52.8 percent in 2018 and 58.8 in 2019.
Buffalo’s defense did a great job of stopping the Washington running game. Antonio Gibson was limited to just 31 yards, and the Football Team totaled just 78 for the day. Even more impressive was the Bills holding Washington to just 3.1 yards per carry.
The Bills (2-1) will host Houston next week. It will be Buffalo’s second straight game against a team with a rest advantage. The Texans lost to the Panthers on Thursday night. Washington (1-2), which failed to build upon its win last week over the Giants on Thursday night, will play at Atlanta (1-2).
BillsFans.com - Editorial Staff
Related:
Buffalo Bills vs. Washington Football Team 9/26/2021- A Few Thoughts, in no particular order
Buffalo Bills vs. Washington Football Team Week 3 game preview
