“The test of a quarterback is where his team finishes,” a timeless truth stated by Paul Brown. And in today’s game, one QB has been acing that test with more end zone dances than a touchdown-hungry rookie. Enter Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, a maestro who’s made a habit of lighting up the scoreboard and collecting trophies. With Mahomes setting the bar high, this NFL analyst shifts the spotlight to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. He believes Allen’s got a new playbook to master, and expectations are through the roof for the 2024 season!

During ESPN’s First Take on August 9th, the former NFL wide receiver Harry Douglas tackled the question, “What are your expectations for Josh Allen and the Bills this season?” Without missing a beat, Harry replied, “It’s always gonna be Super Bowl or bust because Josh Allen is that dude at the quarterback position.” Now, before you label him as crazy, hear him out.

“I’m not gonna shy away from picking Josh Allen because we’ve seen Patrick Mahomes not have Tyreek Hill.” Douglas continued, throwing down the challenge flag. “Well, Josh Allen, this season, doesn’t have Steffon Diggs. So show me you can still get it done. Show me that you’re the full-fledged leader of everything that’s going on in Buffalo. And that you can get it done with the guys that are right there,” he concluded, sprinting through his point like a receiver in the open field. But is Harry wrong to set that bar so high? Let’s break down the play.

When Diggs touched down in Buffalo after that 2020 trade from Minnesota, he wasted no time making his mark. He hit over 1,100 receiving yards in each of his four seasons. Plus topped the league with 127 catches and 1,535 yards in his debut season with Josh Allen. Now, comparing Diggs’ exit to Tyreek Hill’s, you’ll see both have left more than a few defenders grasping at air.

Hill, drafted in the fifth round in 2016, became a game-changer for Kansas, using his speed as a secret weapon. With Mahomes under center as QB1 since 2018, “Cheetah” posted 1,200-plus receiving yards in three out of the four seasons. The 2019 season was the exception, which saw a dip with Tyreek at 860 yards.

But this is only half of what Harry said on the First Take. His main point was how Mahomes has become a formidable force since Hill swapped for Miami in 2022. Have a look at these stats.

These numbers prove that even without his “Cheetah,” Mahomes didn’t just keep the chains moving—he kept them running at full throttle! In 2022, he became the first 21st-century player to snag both the league MVP and the Super Bowl MVP. And guess what? He defended that Super Bowl MVP title last season, going 2-for-2 with the Chiefs. Now, they’re not just defending their title; they’re gunning for an unprecedented 3-peat!

Now you see, that’s where Harry’s Super Bowl expectations of Josh Allen stem from. But is it too far-fetched?

Is Josh Allen ‘the guy’ to bring the Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo?

The Buffalo Bills clawed their way into the 2023 postseason, bouncing back from a 6-6 record to clinch the AFC East and secure the No. 2 seed with an 11-6 finish. Despite this, a 27-24 loss to the Chiefs cut their playoff run short in the Divisional Round. But let’s not forget: Josh Allen led the Bills to become the first team to beat Patrick Mahomes three times in the regular season. So, what’s holding him back from grabbing that Super Bowl title? The answer might just be Allen himself.

Appearing on the ‘Pardon My Take’ podcast on July 12th, Allen’s dedication to the team shone through when he said, “If that’s what it takes, I would do it,” about retiring to ensure an SB win. While the memory of four straight Super Bowl losses from 1990 to 1993 haunts Bills Mafia, Allen’s performance shows he’s more than capable of leading this team to glory. He would not need to retire—phew!

Over the past four seasons, the Bills’ QB1 has consistently put up big numbers, throwing for at least 4,283 yards each year. Last season, he casually racked up 4,306 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. The cherry on top? He also rushed for 524 yards and a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns, leading the NFL with 44 total scores in 2023.

Josh Allen is a bona fide superstar. He consistently puts up jaw-dropping numbers, even if his turnovers make fans cringe. Since 2020, Allen has led the league in success rate, keeping the Bills’ offense humming and even edging out Mahomes in this critical area. But these aren’t just empty stats. CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles Allen leads the league in both turnovers (75) and total touchdowns (174) since 2020—the first player to do so over a four-season span since Brett Favre from ’96 to ’99. He’s the full package, navigating pressure and delivering when it counts.

But here’s the kicker: Despite all those turnovers, Josh Allen’s playoff turnover rate is identical to Patrick Mahomes’. If there’s a QB who can truly go toe-to-toe with Mahomes, it’s Allen. The only thing left? Those elusive playoff wins—en route to the championship. Can he finally step up, bring the Lombardi to Buffalo, and ruin Pat’s dream of a 3-peat?