Three reasons the Buffalo Bills shouldn’t place blame on Josh Allen…
1. **Buffalo’s Defense Needs Improvement:**
While the Bills had a disappointing exit from the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs, the focus should not be solely on Josh Allen. The Bills’ defense struggled to stop the Chiefs, reminiscent of their difficulty against playoff-caliber teams throughout the season.
Despite being statistically strong in passing, rushing, scoring, and third-down efficiency, the defense failed to make crucial stops in key moments. Buffalo’s defensive performance against top-tier teams underscores the need for improvement in this area.
2. **The Salary Cap Challenge:**
The Bills find themselves $51 million over the cap space for 2024, despite making the playoffs consistently since 2019. High-profile contracts, including a substantial hit from Josh Allen, have contributed to this financial strain. The team needs to address the salary cap situation, potentially restructuring Allen’s deal, and consider investing more in the defense. Despite the financial challenges, there is optimism for the future, given the lack of essential free agents in 2024.
3. **The Running Game Must Evolve:**
Relying solely on Josh Allen’s arm has proven insufficient for the Bills. Despite finishing in the top 10 in rushing offense over the past two years, the team struggles to effectively close out games with a running game. James Cook, the leading rusher, lacked significant impact, with only two touchdowns and 66 yards per game.
The Bills should look to diversify their offensive strategy by either signing a free agent like Austin Ekeler or drafting promising running backs like Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson to bolster their running game in 2024.
In summary, while Josh Allen has faced criticism for turnovers and certain game situations, the larger issues lie with the team’s defense, salary cap management, and the need for a more effective running game. Addressing these aspects will be crucial for the Buffalo Bills to overcome their recent playoff disappointments and contend for a Super Bowl.
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