New York’s Orchard Park — Josh Allen voiced optimism about the Buffalo Bills’ future after the team finished the regular season without making it to the AFC championship game or the Super Bowl once more on Sunday night.
The Bills finished the season against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, despite coming back from a 6-6 deficit to win the AFC East and string together a six-game winning run. Buffalo had missed the AFC Championship Game, which Allen had only once in his six seasons, for the third year in a row.
Given the number of unanswered questions the Bills have going into the offseason, this season was considered crucial.However, 27-year-old Allen stated he is not concerned about the championship window closing.
“I believe in what we’ve got going on here and the people that are in charge,” he stated on Monday. “I have confidence in myself. And it won’t ever alter.”Buffalo is simply 5-5 in postseason games, despite the success Allen has had in his ten career games—64.6% completion percentage, 21 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 83 rushing attempts for 563 yards, and 5 rushing scores. Following their most recent loss to the Chiefs, Buffalo became the first club to be eliminated three times in four years by the same opponent since the 49ers were ousted in three consecutive seasons by the Green Bay Packers from 1995 to 1997. The Chiefs and Ravens are the only two teams with a higher regular-season winning percentage than the Bills since Allen was selected in the 2018 draft. The Bills are tied with the 2017–21 New Orleans Saints for the most wins in a five-year timeframe without winning the Super Bowl with 58 regular-season victories over the previous five seasons (second only to the Chiefs).
Colleagues in the locker room discussed how well Allen performed in the latter part of the season and throughout, with many—including the quarterback—endorsing the work that head coach Sean McDermott done.
“All signs are still pointing up with this team,” Allen stated. “Yes, it seems hopeless. Additionally, a lot of things will probably change. To be honest, I don’t know anything about it and I can’t concentrate on it. All I have to do is keep working hard, encouraging the guys here, and attempting to bring everyone together. And it requires an entire organization—some serious self-examination and lengthy talks with those inside and outside the building inquiring about what more they can do. What can I do better?’ and using that knowledge to grow, and that’s precisely what I intend to do.” The Bills are approximately $49 million over the projected salary cap heading into the offseason.
Stefon Diggs, a 30-year-old wide receiver, is one of the players under scrutiny. He averaged 41 receiving yards with zero touchdowns over the final seven games, including the playoffs. He has never gone seven games in a row without a receiving touchdown in his career. Diggs is expected to incur a $27.9 million cap charge.
Von Miller, a pass-rusher who turned 35 in March and had no sacks this season, will be subject to a $23.9 million cap hit as he recovers from surgery on his right ACL in December 2022 and is still being looked into for a possible attack on his pregnant girlfriend. This roster appears to be in for significant changes when you factor in the fact that veteran safety Micah Hyde will become a free agent in March, possibly retiring, and that receiver Gabe Davis stated on Monday that he intends to test free agency. Additionally, linebacker Matt Milano (right leg) and cornerback Tre’Davious White (right Achilles) are recovering from season-ending injuries and are expected to be among the top seven in cap value.
Allen remarked, “Long road ahead, long offseason.” “Got to continue to keep putting in the work and getting better in the offseason and getting together with guys and figuring out what we can do to get over this hump.”
The NFL Honors took place at the Resorts World Theatre on Thursday night, just in front of Super Bowl LVIII (Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS), which features the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. After taking home the trophy in 2019, quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens has now won the MVP award twice. Offensive Player of the Year went to Christian McCaffrey, a standout running back for San Francisco. Offensive Rookie of the Year went to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans. Myles Garrett, a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, took home his first Defensive Player of the Year title. Defensive Rookie of the Year went to Will Anderson Jr., a defensive end for the Texans. Kevin Stefanski, the head coach of the Browns, received two votes for Coach of the Year. Joe Flacco, the quarterback for Cleveland, was named Comeback Player of the Year. After taking home the trophy in 2019, quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens has now won the MVP award twice. Offensive Player of the Year went to Christian McCaffrey, a standout running back for San Francisco. Offensive Rookie of the Year went to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans. Myles Garrett, a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, took home his first Defensive Player of the Year title. Defensive Rookie of the Year went to Will Anderson Jr., a defensive end for the Texans. Kevin Stefanski, the head coach of the Browns, received two votes for Coach of the Year. Joe Flacco, the quarterback for Cleveland, was named Comeback Player of the Year. Jackson passed San with five touchdown passes, according to this With the Niners for his first full season, McCaffrey had one of the most prolific seasons in both team and league history. Throughout his 16 games, he topped the NFL in scrimmage yards per game (126.4), scrimmage touchdowns (21), rushing yards (1,459), first downs (114), and 10-plus yard runs (44). With those performances, McCaffrey was able to enter the NFL record books, win a spot in the Pro Bowl, and be named to the first team of the AP All Pros. With a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game, McCaffrey increased his career total to 15, which is tied with Marshall Faulk for the most in league history. He also made NFL history by being the third player to record more than 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season while playing for two different teams.
“Everyone knows those gym rats who never stop working out. One of the most gifted players in the game is a guy like that that we have,” stated Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan. — Wagoner, NickGarrett finally overcame his early disappointment to win his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year title, having been a contender for several years.
With fourteen sacks, he only came in eighth. However, Garrett led the NFL’s top defense during the regular season. Among several other measures, the Browns lead the league in three-and-out percentage (32.9%), yards per game allowed (267), and defensive efficiency. Garrett faced the third-highest double-team rate (28.8%), but he also finished second in pass rush victory rate (30.5%).
The Browns concluded the season with a four-game winning streak that included a Dec. 28 victory against the Jets that sealed the playoffs. Only Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt has more than 20 pass-rush victories during that time frame than Garrett’s 35.
“I am aware ofStroud’s numerous rookie records, which he either set or tied, earned him this honor. The former star quarterback from Ohio State became the first quarterback selected in the first two rounds of the draft since 1967, and he also led the Texans to their first divisional championship since 2019. He also became the youngest winner of a postseason game with the victory, surpassing Michael Vick.
Stroud broke the record for the most pass attempts made to begin a career without an interception (191). In addition to maintaining that momentum, he led the league in touchdowns to interceptions (23:5).
With 4,108 passing yards at the end of the regular season, he ranked third among rookies, behind only Andrew Luck (4,374 in 2012) and Justin Herbert (4,336 in 2020). HisAs soon as Anderson joined the Texans, he wanted to establish the expectation that the rookies will “change the culture.” When he recorded a sack of Jackson in Week 1, he had an instant impact.
His sack totals decreased, but he was still in the upper echelons of advanced analytics. In terms of pass rush victory percentage (25.8%), the No. 3 choice was rated third. Among defensive ends with at least 400 snaps, he was sixth in run-stop victory rate (36%), which had an effect on the run game as well.
He missed two games due to an ankle injury, but he still finished the season with seven sacks, ten tackles for loss, and twenty-two quarterback hits. — Bien-Aime DJSince joining the NFL again in 1999, the Browns have only made three trips to the postseason. Stefanski was the head coach for two of those, winning Coach of the Year in both (2020 included).
Despite a challenging regular season, Stefanski led Cleveland to an 11-6 record. Numerous important players for the Browns sustained season-ending injuries, including running back Nick Chubb (knee) and quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder).
Cleveland also made history by being the first team to start five different quarterbacks in a single season since 1987. Nevertheless, the five times the Browns scored a winning touchdown in the last two minutes of regulation, they set a franchise record.
good news Bills’ Josh Allen tthink we’re on the right track.”
