(Kansas City, MO) – In a thrilling Week 18 Sunday matchup, the focus was on the ups and downs of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Allen’s decision-making on the field has always been prone to risk, and this game was no exception. He threw two interceptions in the first half, one of which resulted in a Miami Dolphins touchdown. Later in the game, he fumbled in scoring range. Allen’s high-risk, high-reward style of play has been a roller coaster for the Bills all season. Despite firing offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey earlier in the season, the Bills’ offense has struggled under quarterbacks coach Joe Brady.
The change in offensive coordinator failed to produce positive results for the Bills. In fact, their offensive production metrics declined in the seven games under Brady compared to the ten games under Dorsey. However, one positive change has been the decrease in turnover rate. Under Dorsey, 17.3 percent of the Bills’ drives ended in a turnover, compared to 11.7 percent under Brady. While Brady can’t be credited for Allen’s risk-taking tendencies, the decrease in turnovers is an improvement.
Allen’s fearless style of play has its drawbacks, but it also has its rewards. He has the ability to make incredible plays that no other quarterback can imitate. In their game against the Dolphins, Allen’s heroics helped the Bills secure a victory. However, the Bills’ success goes beyond Allen. Their defense has improved in the second half of the season, ranking 13th in success rate and fourth in expected points added per drive. Additionally, their running game has been strong, ranking second in success rate on handoffs and designed quarterback runs.
Special teams also played a crucial role in the Bills’ success, with Deonte Harty making a clutch play in the game against the Dolphins. The Bills have shown that they can win games in different ways, whether it be a low-scoring or high-scoring affair, and their complete team effort has made them a legitimate threat in the AFC.
In other Week 18 highlights, Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans had a memorable game, securing a win against the Houston Texans with a go-ahead touchdown and a long run. The Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, Arthur Smith, caused some drama after the game against the New Orleans Saints when he confronted Saints head coach Dennis Allen for scoring a meaningless touchdown at the end of the game. The decision to play the Falcons’ backups and score the touchdown against the Saints’ victory formation was made without Allen’s approval.
The Detroit Lions made a risky decision to play their starters in the final game of the season, hoping for a chance to secure the no. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. However, their gamble didn’t pay off, and they ended up with the no. 3 seed instead. They also suffered injuries to key players, including star tight end Sam LaPorta.
In conclusion, Week 18 of the NFL season was filled with ups and downs, showcasing the risks and rewards of various teams and players. Josh Allen’s high-risk style of play has both helped and hurt the Buffalo Bills throughout the season. Despite a change in offensive coordinator, the Bills’ offense has struggled. However, their defense, running game, and special teams have contributed to their success. The Detroit Lions’ decision to play their starters backfired, resulting in a lower seed and key injuries. The Week 18 highlights also included Derrick Henry’s performance and the coach-handshake drama between the Falcons and the Saints. Overall, it was an eventful week in the NFL.