From the Locker Room

Presented by

'Saw our guy open' | Josh Allen reflects on crazy flip-pass TD and other team highlights in win at Raiders

Oct 18, 2026 at 11:13 PM

Seasonal Writing Associate

The Buffalo Bills completed their two-game trip to the West Coast with a 33-30 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon. The game was full takeaways, giving the team a ton to look at as they head into the bye week.

Here's what the Bills had to say from Allegiant Stadium after the win.

Josh Allen's thoughts on his wild touchdown

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen made one of the best highlight plays of the season during Sunday's win, pulling off an incredible flip-pass touchdown to WR Keon Coleman in the second half.

Up 16-13 with over six minutes to play in the third quarter, Buffalo was faced with a 3rd and 8 from the Las Vegas 12-yard line. Allen exited the huddle, looking to make a play for his team so they could give themselves a bigger cushion.

Allen took the snap, dropping back deep into the pocket back to the 24-yard line, keeping his eyes downfield. Sensing pressure coming behind him, he stepped up, juking out a defender before flicking a shovel pass into the end zone over the heads of five Raiders' defenders and into the hands of Coleman for the score.

"I was just trying to make a play," Allen said. "They play really good defense. Kind of stepped up in the pocket, felt somebody coming from the left side there, stepped back and again, quick eyes saw our guy open and gave him a chance."

Allen was sandwiched by the group of defenders on the play, hoping his overhand flip of the ball was enough to get to his target.

The wobbling ball was intended for Coleman, who found open space in the middle of the end zone. Coleman jumped up and snagged the wild pass out of the air, completing the highlight of the night.

"I saw him, but once it comes out, you kind of get hit and tumble around," Allen said. "He finds himself in the right place at the right time and finds a way to get open."

With his back down on the grass, Allen was picked up by his offensive line with a big smile on his face. The Bills Mafia members in Las Vegas were in shock at the unbelievable play, with MVP chants ringing throughout the dome.

"I look up, and I see Josh doing that like psychotic grin, and I hear everybody screaming. So I'm like, 'All right, something happened,'" C/G Alec Anderson said.

Related Links

James Cook showcases his versatility

Coming into Week 6, James Cook III was continuing to prove to be one of the most productive offensive weapons in the NFL. Sunday was more of the same in that sense, but his biggest difference from the first five weeks came in the receiving game.

Cook caught all three of his targets for 58 yards, with his longest grab going for 26 yards near the end of the fourth quarter. His receiving total was the highest of the 2026 season by a landslide, tallying 46 more yards than his next-highest game (12 yards in Week 1).

The 27-year-old was dominant in the ground game as well, tallying 95 yards on 22 carries (4.3 average) along with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

A pair of fumbles in Week 5 had put a damper on what has been another strong start for the NFL's leading rusher in 2025. Head coach Joe Brady's trust remained in his bell cow back, with that belief paying dividends again on Sunday.

"They asked me in the production meeting last night, 'What are you going to do with James Cook?' And I was like, 'I'm going to hand him the football,'" Brady said. "I didn't get to standing right here without James, and it's the confidence I have in him and not making it anything bigger than it needs to be and trust that he's going to correct it and clean it up. He was outstanding [on Sunday].

"... It's the confidence that I have in him, the trust that I have in him, the trust that the team has in him, that no one makes it bigger, and he knows when he holds that football that he holds the whole organization. I love that guy, and I loved to see him respond today."

Keon Coleman continues his breakout season

Coleman was again tasked with taking on a big role in the receiving game on Sunday, with WR DJ Moore missing his second game in a row with a shoulder injury. Coleman was once again up to the challenge, coming through for his team in the big moments on Sunday.

The wideout finished his night with 59 receiving yards, catching Allen's shovel pass for a touchdown.

"He stepped up extremely, big time," Allen said. "He's a guy that just continues to work hard. He's putting himself in good spots, and he's making the most of his opportunities, making plays when the ball's coming his way."

Coleman now has three games over 50 yards on the season, with his three touchdowns already nearing his career best of four in his first two years with the Bills.

Against Las Vegas, Coleman didn't have a single catch under 11 yards, including drawing a pass interference that picked up 13 yards and a first down two plays before his touchdown.

"He's where he needs to be," Brady said. "He's handling everything like a pro, and there's so much trust we have for him as the player, the development, and he continues to just make plays… His best is still ahead."

C.J. Gardner-Johnson apologizes to Bills locker room

With time winding down in the first half, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson was issued a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, being removed from the game in the process. He spoke with the media postgame to take ownership of his actions.

"I've got to be a better player. I let my emotions get the best of me, and I hurt my team," Gardner-Johnson told reporters. "I've got to be able to play in big games like this. I've got to be better and control my emotions."

Brady was also asked about the situation at his postgame press conference.

"It's uncalled for; it can't happen. It's going to be addressed," Brady said. "The team is way more important."