1 — Josh Allen shining bright at NFL's midseason point
QB Josh Allen is playing at an MVP level as we get to the halfway point of the regular season. Here are just a few of the superlatives from Allen's excellent 2024 campaign so far:
- Only QB in the NFL with 15+ TD passes and 3+ rushing TDs in 2024
- 1 of 2 quarterbacks with 2,000+ passing yards, 15+ passing touchdowns and 2 or fewer interceptions through Week 9 (Lamar Jackson)
- 1 of 3 quarterbacks with a passer rating above 105 and 7+ wins (Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels)
- 5th in the NFL with 20 combined passing and rushing touchdowns
- Fewest interceptions through nine games in Bills history - 2 interceptions
- Four straight games w/ multiple touchdown passes
"This is the best version of Josh Allen we've ever seen," NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal said on the NFL Daily podcast.
CBS NFL analyst Jason McCourty, who will be on the call for Sunday's game in Indianapolis, pointed out that Allen is getting the ball out of his hands faster than he has at any point in his career so far. Allen's average release of 2.80 seconds would mark the fastest time to throw through his first seven seasons.
In Buffalo's seven wins this season, Allen has a completion percentage of 71.1%.
"He's so accurate now and he gets the yards after catch after the throw. Just next-level quarterbacking," Rosenthal added.
2 — Praise for OC Joe Brady's use of space
NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger said this week that the design of Buffalo's offense under offensive coordinator Joe Brady has helped Allen play at such a high level on a consistent basis.
"I feel like Joe Brady, right now in the passing game, is very under the radar right now," Baldinger said on the Pardon My Take podcast.
Following Buffalo's Week 9 win over Miami, Baldinger posted several plays from the game on X, explaining the concepts that have helped the Bills score 30 points in three-straight games. Baldinger showed several examples of plays called by Brady that create mismatches and open areas of the field for Allen to exploit in the passing game.
"What (Brady) does by formations and his route combinations, is he just creates space," Baldinger said. "So, it's easy throws for Josh."
During his media availability this week, Allen shared that Brady's philosophy of using plays that players on the offense want to be called has made a big impact. Each Friday, the offensive players meet to discuss which plays they'd like to see called in the game and Brady incorporates that into the game plan.
"Joe always talks about the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more. So that's all it really is, is just making sure that we're holding ourselves accountable. And if he's going to go out there and be a friendly play-caller like that, that we gotta make it work and make him look good at the same time," Allen said.
3 — Why the Colts moved to Joe Flacco
Quarterback Joe Flacco will start for Indianapolis on Sunday. Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced they would be switching from Anthony Richardson to Flacco ahead of their Week 9 game against the Vikings.
Flacco has started in three games this season with the Colts and has a 1-2 record. Even though Indy lost last week with him at the helm, the 17-year vet has another opportunity on Sunday.
Colts' play-by-play voice Matt Taylor believes the veteran QB gives Indianapolis more stability.
"You get more stability because it just hasn't been there so far with Anthony Richardson at quarterback," Taylor said on One Bills Live. "With him (Richardson) at the helm, it's been a lot of big plays and kind of a boom or bust offense. But the third down efficiency hasn't been there, the overall completion percentage with Anthony Richardson hasn't been there this year. Historically, with Joe Flacco you get pinpoint accuracy, the completion percentage is really good, you stay on the field with some maybe longer drives."
In Flacco's three starts, the QB has seven passing touchdowns to just two interceptions, a 64.4% completion percentage and a 94.5 pass rating. In Richardson's six starts, the QB had four passing touchdowns to seven interceptions, a 44.4% completion percentage and a 57.2 passer rating.
"If you watch him in the games he's played early on just throwing the football, he's done a hell of a job with that," Steichen said of Flacco on Wednesday. "Getting the ball out of his hands, finding completions, just a veteran leader that's been doing it at a high level."
Indianapolis has the worst catch percentage in the NFL this season at 57.2%. The Colts are hoping that Flacco's ability to find completions allows the offense to take a step forward.
"Overall, the passing game on the season for the Colts just has to be better," Taylor said. "Regardless of who the quarterbacks have been, the Colts have only thrown over 200 yards three times on the season."
The Colts are sitting at 4-5 this season and have lost the last two games. They rank second in the AFC South sitting two games behind the Texans (6-3). All nine of Indianapolis' games this season have been decided by one possession.
4 — Attacking the Colts through the air
While the Colts defense is allowing just 21.4 points per game (12th), they've struggled with allowing lots of yards. They rank 29th in the NFL allowing the fourth most total yards per game with 383.6. If you break this down into passing yards per game it's 233.8, which ranks bottom 10 in the NFL.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his weapons might have some opportunities through the air on Sunday. ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky thinks the Bills should work a lot of play action on Sunday due to the Colts playing a traditional zone defense.
"There's a lot of vacancies in the middle of the field if you get after them in your play action game," Orlovsky told One Bills Live.
With a talented pass rush and players like DeForest Buckner, Orlovksy said the offense will have to be quick in their decision making. The Colts rank top five in takeaways this season with 15.
"Josh is going to have to be really good with his eyes after the snap because they are a team that makes you see things and then they change things," Orlovsky said on One Bills Live. "It's very what I would call cloudy or muddy, you don't necessarily know exactly what…you don't want to hold onto the ball against a pass rush like that. And then I do think trying to get into some play action chunks over the middle of the field is the best way to generate explosive plays."
Indianapolis is allowing a 70.1% completion percentage (29th) and a 100.2 passer rating (25th) this season.
Allen is one of three quarterbacks with a passer rating above 105 (105.8 – 6th best) and at least 7 wins through nine weeks of play. The QB also has four straight games with multiple touchdown passes and the fewest interceptions (2) through nine games in Bills history.
5 — Going for first win in Indy since 1998
Believe it or not, Buffalo is searching for their first win against the Colts in Indianapolis since 1998. The quarterbacks in that matchup – Doug Flutie and two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning. The Bills beat the Colts 31-24 in that game.
Since the Colts moved from the AFC East to the AFC South in 2002, they've only faced Buffalo eight times in the regular season. The Bills are 3-5 in those matchups.
Buffalo's last win against the Colts came during the 2020 season in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Bills QB Josh Allen completed 26 of 35 pass attempts for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Phillip Rivers was the quarterback for the Colts that season – his final season in the NFL.
Scroll to see the best photos from Thursday's practice as the Buffalo Bills prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Richard Gouraige (75). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (93). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Zion Logue (97). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ray Davis (22), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shane Buchele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mike White (14). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Javon Solomon (56), Corey Harkey. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (93), A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
A.J. Epenesa (57), Casey Toohill (99), Jordan Phillips (93). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
A.J. Epenesa (57), Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Matt Edwards. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Branson Deen (53). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Zion Logue (97). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Adam Henry. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Rob Boras. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mike White (14). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Mike White (14), Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Mike White (14), Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shane Buchele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shane Buchele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62), Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mike White (14), Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Javon Solomon (56), Kori Reblin. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kingsley Jonathan (59), Marcus West. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Eli Ankou (51), Kori Reblin. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (93), Kori Reblin. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (93). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Matt Edwards. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Casey Toohill (99), Matt Edwards, Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (93). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (93). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kingsley Jonathan (59). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Matt Edwards. Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kingsley Jonathan (59). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jalen Virgil (89). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Week 10 Practice, November 07, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
