1. Josh Norman's Buffalo Business Blitz is almost halfway to one-million-dollar
Josh Norman has been giving back to the city of Buffalo before he even put on a Bills helmet.
Right now, with his Starz 24 Foundation, Norman has been raising money for the Buffalo Business Blitz program which was started to bring relief to local businesses impacted by Covid-19. The Buffalo Bills Social Justice Fund, which was created by the players, have donated $89,000 to the program. Wegmans has raised $135,000 and Rich's products have donated $75,000 to the program as well. Since Dec. 1, Bills Mafia has donated more than $184,000 to bring the total to $483,000 raised for the important program.
The work is still not done. The goal is to raise one million dollars for this cause to help Buffalo businesses get back on their feet. Bills Mafia we know how generous you are and have been just throughout this season. Let's all help out this local cause and support Josh Norman in his efforts to help Buffalo re-open.
For more information about the Starz 24 Foundation and to donate to help this cause, click here.
2. Bleacher Report's top 3 matchups for the AFC Championship game
Tomorrow's game will mark the fourth matchup between the Bills and the Chiefs in NFL postseason history, and the third time they have met in the championship game. The Bills are looking to clinch their first Super Bowl berth since the 1993 season, but to make it to Tampa, they have to go through Kansas City first. Bleacher Report writer Brad Gagnon came out with a full preview of both championship games and in it, he listed the top three matchups for the AFC Championship game.
- Tyreek Hill vs. Tre'Davious White/Taron Johnson: _Beyond scoring on a game-changing 101-yard pick-six, Johnson performed well in slot coverage for Buffalo on Saturday night. He'll likely be frequently responsible for the speedy Hill, while White should have his hands full in a battle of Pro Bowlers when the wide receiver is lined up outside. Both are among the best players in the sport. _
- Josh Allen vs. Chris Jones: The superstar defensive lineman was somewhat quiet against the Browns, but he's a big-game performer who had a shot at Super Bowl MVP last year. He'll attempt to chase Allen down all evening. Buffalo occasionally had trouble with inside pressure this season, and Jones can bring it. He ranked fourth in the NFL with 28 quarterback hits during the regular season.
- Darrel Williams/Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. Micah Hyde/Jordan Poyer: Buffalo's strong veteran safety duo excels against the run, and the Chiefs might rely heavily on Williams in the offensive backfield if there's any concern about Mahomes (or if he's unable to play at all). Buffalo's pass defense is solid, but Andy Reid could get creative with Williams, who averaged 6.0 yards per carry against Cleveland, or Edwards-Helaire, who compiled 1,100 scrimmage yards this season but has been sidelined by an ankle sprain. Hyde, Poyer and veteran linebacker Matt Milano will need to be prepared.
3. PFF named Josh Allen the Breakout Player of the Year
Very few people outside of Buffalo thought that Josh Allen's third season in the league was going to be as spectacular as it has been. Allen finished the regular season as the only quarterback in NFL history with 4,500+ passing yards, 35+ passing touchdowns, and 8+ rushing touchdowns in a single season. He is about to play in his first career AFC Championship game, was named second-team All-Pro, and Pro Football Focus named him the Breakout Player of the Year, and here's why:
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: JOSH ALLEN, BUFFALO BILLS
There was little in Josh Allen's tape before this season to suggest what was in store for him in 2020. It's not that Allen hadn't shown signs of development or improvement, but they had been small, and the breadth of his issues was still so large that a jump of this magnitude seemed farfetched. But that's what happened.
Allen has played at an All-Pro level for most of the season, still making big plays but also becoming one of the most accurate passers in the league, something that seemed ridiculous to suggest before this year. Allen's adjusted completion rate was 79.1%, more than 15 percentage points higher than his rookie year and a top-five mark among all quarterbacks this season, sitting just behind Drew Brees the most accurate passer in NFL history.
Allen went from being a marginal quarterback with outstanding physical tools to one of the best players in the entire league. And that is a true breakout performance.
