With apologies to the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, the Buffalo Bills are arguably the best all-around team in the NFL right now.
They’re 6-1 right now, and they’re tops in points allowed and passing yards.
Of course, the biggest reason for their success has been quarterback Josh Allen, who is (as usual) having a whale of a season.
He had an off-day against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 with two interceptions and just 218 passing yards, but through seven games, he has accumulated 2,198 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and a 105.9 passer rating.
That’s to go along with his 306 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The question is whether Allen is the best football player in the world right now.
The only real competitor he has is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and a look at some advanced stats seem to show that Allen has edged out Mahomes.
Highest Graded QBs in the NFL by PFF:
1. Josh Allen 90.5
2. @GenoSmith3 88.4
3. Tua Tagovailoa 87.6
4. Patrick Mahomes 87.4
5. Jalen Hurts 84.8— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) October 31, 2022
Best pressure to sack % in the NFL, this season (good pocket presence):
1 Justin Herbert: 8.5%
2 Andy Dalton: 10.5%
3 Josh Allen: 11.1%
4 Patrick Mahomes: 11.5% pic.twitter.com/Qyz9embZXY— Austin Mitchell (@A_Mitchell4) October 27, 2022
Best Passer Rating on 3rd down this season
Tua Tagovailoa 142.7
Josh Allen 133.3
Joe Burrow 131.8
Patrick Mahomes 120.0 pic.twitter.com/QLOTUjeKQk— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 30, 2022
In addition, Allen has defeated teams led by three former MVPs in Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers over the past four weeks, something that hasn’t been done in over 25 years.
Josh Allen and the #BIlls have wins against Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Aaron Rodgers in the last 4 games.
Allen is the first QB to lead his team to 3 victories against former MVP QBs in a 4-game span since Troy Aikman in 1996. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/k6nqlqkbCr
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) October 31, 2022
An Argument For Allen
The argument that Bills fans make is that Allen is a dual-threat QB who can move the chains with his legs, which Mahomes cannot do as well, while Allen can throw the ball downfield about as well as Mahomes does.
However, it isn’t clear if Allen can make those unorthodox, almost sideways passes while being pressured, especially in third-down situations, that Mahomes has been making a living off of.
In addition, Mahomes is the proud owner of a Super Bowl ring, while Allen is yet to earn one.
When a debate is this close, you have to go with the man who has won a world championship, and that is Mahomes.
But make no mistake: Allen is right on his heels.
NEXT: Von Miller Is Making An Early Impact With Bills