Buffalo Rumblings
The next chapter in this rivalry is ready to be written
Few rivalries in recent NFL history have been as thrilling as Josh Allen versus Patrick Mahomes over the past four seasons. They are the new-age Brady against Manning. Allen and Mahomes aren’t just the faces of their franchises, they have become measuring sticks for everyone else’s quarterbacks.
With the Buffalo Bills at 8-2 and the only AFC team within shouting distance of the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs, this Week 11 showdown has big implications for the AFC’s top seed. Here’s a preview of Allen and Mahomes’ seasons through 10 weeks, before the next chapter of their rivalry is written.
Josh Allen is playing some of the best football of his career, and he’s doing it while limiting his interceptions to just four through 10 games this season. His 2,281 passing yards (228.1 per game) are top 10 in the league, which is very impressive considering the Bills only pass the ball 53.3% of the time — which is ranked in the bottom third of the NFL. Allen’s productivity when throwing the ball is elite, generating a third-best +.60 passing EPA and contributing 17 touchdowns through the air.
Allen is starting to find the balance between aggression and control that Bills fans have been waiting for. His 100.2 passer rating is on pace for his best since the 2020 season, however, his completion percentage of 63.5% could be improved.
We’re used to seeing Patrick Mahomes among the best in most passing categories, but he isn’t having a typical-for-him MVP-caliber type of season. Even though he may not have the lead in the MVP race, he’s still putting together a solid 2024. Through nine games this season, Mahomes has thrown for a respectable 2,208 passing yards. Like Allen, his 245.3 passing yards per game and 12 passing touchdowns are top 10 in the NFL.
However, his nine interceptions are only one behind the league leader and also represent the most interceptions he’s thrown through nine games since 2021. Mahomes’ 90.3 passer rating is ranked in the bottom half of NFL quarterbacks, likely due to his numerous interceptions. His +36.5 passing EPA and 69.5% completion percentage are both top 10 in the NFL.
The supporting cast around Allen and Mahomes also tells part of the story. Let’s take a look at what each have to work with on offense.
The departure of longtime alpha wide receiver Stefon Diggs and starting wide receiver Gabe Davis left a gaping hole in Buffalo’s offense this offseason. The Bills addressed the position by using their top draft choice on rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman. It took Coleman a handful of games to find his traction, but he burst onto the scene in Week 7, winning the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week. However, after getting injured in Week 9, Coleman...
