The Miami Dolphins had Josh Allen where they wanted him. They cornered him with fierce pressure and forced him to execute multiple turnovers, all in the name of securing their first AFC East title since 2008.
Allen, however, refused to see his Buffalo Bills relinquish their stranglehold on the division.
Turning to his legs and power that made him look like a glorified buffalo, plus the arm that made him the Bills’ franchise quarterback, Allen willed the Bills to an emotional 21-14 win. In the process, Allen’s resiliency won over the NFL online world.
Josh Allen Fights Through Adversity and the Dolphins
Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio clearly created a master plan to disrupt Allen early.
Fangio drew up plays that placed notable Pro Bowl snub Christian Wilkins with 1-on-1 scenarios — immediately swinging the advantage toward the Dolphins early.
Christian Wilkins was a Pro Bowl snub. pic.twitter.com/hFJOaxUrU0
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 8, 2024
Fangio wasn’t just trusting Wilkins to penetrate and rattle Allen. He was sending extra to produce this Eli Apple interception.
Eli Apple. The hero #Dolphins fans didn't know they needed. pic.twitter.com/YZQuav5ds0
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 8, 2024
Even when Miami began to deal with a version of Allen who was extending the play, the ‘Phins never took their eyes off the quarterback and ensured someone would be there to track the ball — which describes this pick:
Not one…but TWO interceptions for the #Dolphins defense in the end zone pic.twitter.com/XFOLkyPtZj
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 8, 2024
Still, Allen refused to waiver and kept coming after Miami … even if it meant needing a prayer on this rare toe drag floater.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!pic.twitter.com/qV8ptmYsrK
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 8, 2024
Then, Allen went into a soul-snatcher mode on this pulsating rumble on 3rd-and-13 that ended with the energy-draining first down in front of the Miami defense.
Josh Allen fights for the first down on 3rd and 13!
📺: #BUFvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/GqJJdyI3EW pic.twitter.com/t9lT10crQT— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024
Allen went on to combine for 426 total yards against a defense that gave him and the Bills everything. He went from being mistake-prone to reemerging as the toast of the NFL online world.
“This Team Didn’t Flinch,” Allen Says
Allen was described as having “the most Josh Allen game ever” that was filled with turnovers, fourth down tries, and touchdowns. Another account simply called his performance “hero ball.”
ESPN NFL analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky wondered if Allen had something in his system that fueled his early struggles.
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“Josh playing like he drank a Celsius pre game. Slow down fella,” Orlovsky posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Fellow ESPN NFL analyst Robert Griffin III called Allen and the Bills’ season chaotic but added that “They are one of the most resilient teams in the NFL.”
Still, Allen showed the Dolphins how to secure the division title, with one fan saying how the veteran dual-threat “gave us an absolute lesson.” A Dolphins fan was more frustrated — watching how the Dolphins defense figured him out but blamed the loss on head coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
And for Allen and the Bills, they both not only had to overcome their early struggles to knock off Miami but roll to a five-game winning streak to ensure the AFC East title would stay in Western New York.
“This team didn’t flinch,” Allen told Melissa Stark of NBC Sunday Night Football after the game. “I’m so proud of how resilient this group is. That being said, this just solidifies that we got a home game next week. If you told me at the beginning of the year that we’re 11-6 and AFC East champs and the two seed playing at home, sign me up.”
Allen and the Bills had the odds stacked against them at 6-6. Then, the Dolphins had him cornered. Allen still turned to the same traits and will to ensure Miami wasn’t going to siphon the division crown from the Bills’ hands. In the process, Allen and the Bills get to see “Bills Mafia” one more time next week as the conference’s second-best team.
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