The Buffalo Bills have put the league on notice.
They won their last four regular-season games and defeated the division rival New England Patriots to continue their playoff journey.
It’s not enough that the Bills defeated their longtime nemesis.
This is about as good a hype video as I’ve seen. Well done. #BillsMafia
“For every fan that can’t be in the stands on Saturday, but is watching from above.” Powerful. pic.twitter.com/MA5OpILP7d
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) January 15, 2022
Instead, they unleashed a dominant demonstration that left little doubt about their capabilities.
Buffalo’s offense clicked on all cylinders while Josh Allen finished with a spotless performance.
Allergic To Punting
The Bills did not forget what the Patriots did to them during their Week 13 encounter at Highmark Stadium.
Even if Mac Jones completed only two passes for 19 yards, New England won that game.
Bill Belichick unleashed New England’s run game to score a 14-10 decision over the Bills.
Worst, Allen finished that game with a 15.8 quarterback rating, his lowest this season.
That said, Buffalo made sure that their Super Wild Card matchup was over by halftime, and Allen facilitated their game plan to perfection.
“I’m sick for Emmanuel Sanders. He’s played for 100 years and today was his first playoff touchdown catch. Tommy Doyle plays one playoff game and scores a freaking touchdown as a lineman.”
-Josh Allen
😂😂😂#BillsMafia
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 16, 2022
During their Bills’ 47-17 demolition job, the Patriots showed little resistance.
Meanwhile, Allen missed out on four passing attempts for an 84 percent completion percentage.
The former Wyoming standout finished with 308 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
More importantly, the Bills did not commit any turnovers and made life easy for punter Matt Haack.
There has been 590+ Playoff Games in NFL History.
Josh Allen becomes the very 1st player to have 300+ Passing Yards, 5+ Passing TDs, & 60+ Rushing Yards in a single playoff game.
The Bills have scored 47+ points in a playoff game for the 2nd time in team history (1991). pic.twitter.com/5l17MCMCNA
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) January 16, 2022
Haack did not have a punt attempt, the first of its kind during the NFL playoffs.
The victory also improved Allen’s record against the Patriots to 4-1 since 2020.
He also became the seventh NFL quarterback since 1950 to throw for five touchdowns and zero interceptions in a playoff game.
Allen’s five touchdowns is also a franchise playoff record, breaking the four touchdowns set by Jim Kelly and Frank Reich.
Josh Allen played his best game just now, in the playoffs, against a top defense, against a divisional opponent, in zero degree weather.
— Bruce Nolan (@BruceExclusive) January 16, 2022
Aside from torching the Patriots through the air, Allen also added 66 rushing yards to help elevate Buffalo’s run game.
His seven total postseason touchdowns also surpassed Reich for second-most in team history.
Who’s The Best Quarterback In The AFC?
Allen shook off his struggles in the middle of the regular season.
But his fantastic display against Bill Belichick’s crew puts him on a collision course against Patrick Mahomes in the Divisional Round.
This showdown can help settle the lingering debate between the two young quarterbacks.
It also provides Buffalo an opportunity to get payback from their AFC Championship Game loss last season.
Mahomes matched Allen’s strong showing with 404 yards and five touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Next Sunday's AFC Divisional showdown between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes will be the first playoff game in NFL history between QBs who each threw 5+ TD in their previous playoff game
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 17, 2022
With both quarterbacks at their peak, expect a shootout between the Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, Buffalo has a slight edge after winning their only regular-season matchup on the road.
But that victory happened a long time ago when the Chiefs were still struggling.
Kansas City will once again enjoy home-field advantage for their showdown.
That edge won’t matter much if Allen and the Bills pick up where they left off.
We get to watch Patrick Mahomes vs Josh Allen next week 🍿 pic.twitter.com/n3pmXeTPqE
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) January 17, 2022
Buffalo signed Allen to a $258 million extension to deliver in these situations.
Therefore, it’s time for him to reward the team’s trust with an encore.
NEXT: Bills Knock Patriots Off Their AFC East Perch