Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen had an efficient day in his team’s dismantling of the New York Jets on Sunday, but the reigning MVP couldn’t escape controversy for one play early in the game.
Allen was hit late on a third-down pass in the first quarter, drawing a penalty for roughing the passer and giving the Bills a key first down. The play drew some pushback, with some opponents claiming Allen “flopped” by throwing his head backward as he was hit. But other Bills fans defended the play, sparking controversy over the quarterback’s alleged embellishment in the 30-10 win.
Josh Allen in the Crosshairs
The Jets pushed the Bills to a 3rd-and-19 on Buffalo’s first drive of the game, appearing to stop them and force a long field goal attempt after Allen’s pass fell incomplete. But a late hit from defensive tackle Michael Clemmons gave the Bills a first down, allowing them to continue the drive and end with a James Cook touchdown for a 7-0 lead.
The hit did spark some pushback, with some claiming Allen was flopping on the play. Replay showed that Clemmons hit Allen well after the pass was released and came up high, making contact with the helmet of the Bills quarterback.
Still, some called out Allen for throwing his head back after the hit.
What a flop by Josh Allen,” wrote KSHB producer Nick Jacobs in a post on X. “He is giving Vlade Divac vibes.”
Others pointed to past instances where Allen appeared to embellish late hits in order to draw penalties.
Many of those calling out Allen on Sunday were Chiefs fans, who saw their quarterback in the crosshairs last week. Patrick Mahomes drew controversy in a season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers when he appeared to be running out of bounds on a third-quarter play before stopping to lay a hard hit on Chargers cornerback Dante Jackson.
Some fans called out Mahomes, saying referees have protected the Chiefs quarterback when he is running along the sidelines or headed out of bounds and accusing Mahomes of taking advantage of that protection to hit Jackson.
Josh Allen Shows Toughness
Allen was forced to briefly leave Sunday’s game after taking a hit to the face on a short scramble up the middle, leaving his nose bloodied. Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky had to come in for a series of plays before the two-minute warning before halftime while the team’s medical staff tended to Allen on the bench.
Allen was able to return to the game and told reporters later that he didn’t suffer any long-term damage and blamed himself for trying to keep the ball rather than handing it to Cook on an option play.
Josh Allen Under Fire for Controversial Play in Bills-Jets