Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have had a rough start to the 2018 NFL season, but apparently all they needed to get right was a game in Minnesota. Allen and the Bills exploded in the first quarter in Minnesota on Sunday, taking a 27-0 lead in the second quarter despite Vegas pinning the Bills as more than two-touchdown underdogs.
Buffalo jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, largely on the strength of two forced fumbles that the Bills offense turned into quick points. But Buffalo’s first touchdown came at the expense of Minnesota linebacker Anthony Barr, who got beat to the pylon by Allen on a 10-yard score.
JOSH ALLEN WILL DO IT HIMSELF! 👀
📺: CBS #GoBills https://t.co/hvyOlv1YsJ
— NFL (@NFL) September 23, 2018
That wasn’t the last time Allen abused Barr, though. Later in the quarter, Allen took off and ran on a third down and picked up enough yards for the first down by running right at Barr, then leaping over him when he lowered his head to make the tackle.
Yep. @JoshAllenQB is out here hurdling defenders 🔥
📺: CBS #GoBills https://t.co/648TG3QxFT
— NFL (@NFL) September 23, 2018
Allen was pumped up after the first down, an impressive athletic feat that brought to mind Buffalo’s distant past as the team that had a guy quit at the half last week.
THAT GUY GOT HURDLED BY A LIVING GALLON OF MILK HE HAS TO RETIRE AT THE HALF LIKE DAVIS
— The Goose's Roost (@TheGoosesRoost) September 23, 2018
Allen later finished off the drive with a dive over the goal line on fourth down, making him the second Bills quarterback since the merger to score two rushing touchdowns in a game. The other? Bills legend Trent Edwards.
Let's talk about @joshallenqb and these @buffalobills…
Wow. Wow. Wow.
📺: CBS #GoBills https://t.co/LKKfsivmcp
— NFL (@NFL) September 23, 2018
After two weeks where Allen and the Bills looked like a complete mess, they looked dominant against a team expected to be among the best in the NFC. Football, in other words, continues to be an extremely weird game.