Video: Stefon Diggs Says Bills' Josh Allen Should 'Definitely' Win NFL MVP Award
Dec 18, 2024
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 07: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills talks with Stefon Diggs #14 after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Even Josh Allen's former teammates believe the Buffalo Bills' quarterback is the NFL's MVP this season.
"He definitely should win. He's been balling," Houston Texans wideout Stefon Diggs said on Tuesday's Good Morning Football. "Obviously it's no secret that Josh Allen is amazing. As far as seeing him, game in and game out, he's making those plays. It's not new to me, at all, it's not new to anybody in the league. It's just kinda his respect coming full circle, finally getting that credit that he deserves. He's playing at a very high level. I feel like he deserves it, the only person who could kinda compete is Lamar Jackson, whose playing high-level ball too. Damn, it's gonna be some tough decisions toward the end of the year, whoever is making those decisions."
Diggs, 31, spent four seasons with Allen in Buffalo before being traded to the Texans this past offseason. He was a Pro Bowler in all four years.
While Diggs is out for the year with a torn ACL suffered in late October, his Texans could be on a collision course with the Bills come the 2024 postseason. Both teams have already clinched playoff berths and division crowns.
Aaron Rodgers 'Would Love' to See Josh Allen Win NFL MVP; Jets QB Hypes Lamar, Saquon
Dec 17, 2024
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 14: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills talks with Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets after an NFL football game at MetLife Stadium on October 14, 2024 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that he would "love" to see Josh Allen win the MVP award this season, though Lamar Jackson shouldn't be out of the running either.
"No. 1, I love Josh, I think he's a fantastic dude," he said. "Anytime I get to spend time with him, he's hilarious. He's having a big year, just got engaged, he's having a phenomenal season. They're obviously in the playoffs, gonna host a playoff game, could be for the No. 1 seed. On top of the world, and I think this should be—could be—another chance for him to add a little hardware to the mantle. That being said—as someone whose won an MVP back-to-back years and knows how hard that is—can we just not gloss over what Lamar's doing? Can we not?"
Aaron Rodgers tells @PatMcAfeeShow that he would "love" if Josh Allen wins MVP but not to "gloss over" what Lamar Jackson is doing this season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/kky37rq2cZ
He also gave a shoutout to Saquon Barkley, saying the award should come down to one of Allen, Jackson or Barkley.
From a statistical standpoint, Jackson makes a stronger case than Allen. He leads him in just about every major category, including passing yards (3,580 to 3,395), passing touchdowns (34 to 25), interceptions (three to five), completion percentage (68.1 percent to 64.4 percent) and rushing yards (743 to 484).
Allen holds a major edge in rushing touchdowns, however (11 to three), and perhaps the advantage in the most important stat to voters of them all—wins (the Bills are 11-3, the Ravens are 9-5).
The analytics crowd will note that wins aren't a quarterback stat, but it's hard to ignore that without Allen this season, the Bills wouldn't be anywhere close to the playoffs. The same argument could be made that it's Jackson's defense that is letting him down this season, causing the Ravens to currently find itself in a Wild Card spot. It will be fascinating to see how voters decide between the two.
And it almost assuredly will come down to that pair since the MVP has become a quarterback award. The last non-quarterback to win MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2012.
So Barkley is facing a major uphill battle.
If anybody non-quarterback has a shot, though, it's him. Barkley leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,688), has 31 catches for 276 yards and has accumulated 13 total touchdowns. If it weren't for Jalen Hurts and the Tush Push stealing more of his goal-line looks—Philly's quarterback has an NFL-leading 14 rushing touchdowns this season—Barkley would probably be over 20 touchdowns on the year already.
As it stands, he still has the single-season rushing record in sight (2,105 yards by Eric Dickerson in 1984). To equal it, he would need to average 139 rushing yards per game over the final three weeks of the season, and with the Eagles in a fight to secure the top overall seed in the NFC, it's possible he'll be given the chance to do so.
If he achieves that feat, MVP voters may be swayed. For now, however, Allen and Jackson are still the likely frontrunners.
Photo: Bills Unveil Brand New Uniform Combo for NFL Week 16 Game vs. Patriots
Dec 17, 2024
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
Coming off one of the biggest wins of the season by any team in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills are going to keep their good vibes going by breaking out a new uniform combination for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.
The Bills announced on Tuesday they will be wearing red jerseys with white pants and red socks when they host the Patriots in Week 16.
There's possibly some gamesmanship going on with the Bills' decision to break out this particular look given who they are playing. The Patriots have a red throwback jersey they used from 1994 to 2012 and brought back for two games annually starting with the 2022 season.
New England's uniform combination features a red jersey with white pants.
The crossover in looks is inevitable to some extent since both the Bills and Patriots use red, white and blue as their primary colors. The Bills have used the red jersey as their alternate jersey since the 2015 season, but they have traditionally paired it with red pants.
Sunday will mark the first time the Bills use their white pants with the red jersey and white helmets.
The vibes couldn't be higher in Buffalo right now coming off a 48-42 win over the Detroit Lions. Josh Allen has cemented his status as the MVP favorite with 362 yards passing, 68 yards rushing and accounting for four touchdowns in the victory.
Having clinched the AFC East title on Dec. 1, the Bills are still jockeying for position in the AFC playoffs. They trail the Kansas City Chiefs by two games for the No. 1 seed with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Bills will look to keep their positive momentum going against a Patriots team that has lost four straight games. Buffalo has won seven of the last nine meetings between the two AFC East rivals since the 2020 season.
Kickoff between the Patriots and Bills at Highmark Stadium is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Bills' Josh Allen 'All Good' After X-Rays on Shoulder Injury, HC Sean McDermott Says
Dec 16, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills star quarterback Josh Allen is "all good" after appearing to suffer a shoulder injury in Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions, head coach Sean McDermott told reporters on Monday.
Allen confirmed to reporters that he underwent X-rays on his shoulder but downplayed the situation, saying, "Just a funky feeling, but again, was able to throw and don't feel any pain right now. Just more precaution than anything."
This isn't the first health scare of the season for the star signal-caller. Allen was examined for a wrist injury during the fourth quarter of Buffalo's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he wasn't forced to miss any time as he led the Bills to a 30-21 win and handed the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs their first loss of the 2024 season. The 28-year-old made one of the top plays of the season when he scrambled for a game-sealing 26-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Through 14 games, Allen has firmly entrenched himself in the conversation for 2024 NFL MVP. He's thrown for 3,395 yards, 25 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 484 rushing yards and 11 more scores.
Allen's stellar performance helped lead Buffalo to a fifth straight AFC East title. At 11-3, the Bills are the only team in the division with a record above .500.
After years of heartbreak in the postseason, Buffalo is hoping to finally break through and earn a Super Bowl title that has eluded the franchise in the entirety of its history. However, the team will need Allen to be at full strength to achieve that goal.
It seems like Allen won't need to miss time, but the Bills would turn to veteran backup Mitchell Trubisky to replace him if they choose to give him a chance to rest down the stretch of the regular season.
Bills Fans Eye Super Bowl Title as Josh Allen Leads Impressive Win vs. Goff, Lions
Dec 16, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Two Super Bowl contenders faced off on Sunday, with the Buffalo Bills coming out on top.
Josh Allen and the Bills' offense were nearly unstoppable during a 48-42 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Despite trailing by multiple scores for most of the second half, the Lions cut the deficit to six points with just 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter. An onside kick was eventually recovered by the Bills to seal the win, though.
Buffalo racked up 559 yards as a team, averaging an impressive 8.2 yards per play. The Bills didn't seem rattled at any point throughout the contest, scoring at least 13 points in three separate quarters during the victory.
Just like that... the Bills make it a three possession game once again.
What a gutsy performance for #Bills. Played in LA last Sunday. Snowstorm in Buffalo this week. #Lions, meanwhile, home and resting since last Thursday. If this holds up it’s the best win of the #NFL season by far.
Allen thrived through the air and on the ground, finishing 23-of-34 for 362 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 68 yards and two more scores on 11 attempts.
The two-time Pro Bowl signal-caller spread the ball around, completing passes to nine different receivers. Allen proved himself as a legitimate MVP threat once again.
If you don’t think Josh Allen is the clear mvp right now you lack ball knowledge
The Lions were also sharp on offense despite being unable to rely on their rushing attack after falling in an early 14-0 hole.
Jared Goff finished 38-of-59 for a season-high 494 yards to go along with five touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Amon-Ra St. Brown set a new career-best mark with 193 receiving yards and found the end zone in the third quarter, but Detroit's defense was unable to slow down Buffalo.
The Lions fell to 12-2 and are now tied with the Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC standings.
Meanwhile, the Bills improved to 11-3 and sit just behind the 13-1 Kansas City Chiefs for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture.
SPRINGFIELD,MA - OCTOBER 13: Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter pose for a photo during the 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on October 13, 2024 at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Add the Buffalo Bills to the growing list of sports franchises adding marquee names to their ownership group.
The Bills announced on Wednesday that 10 limited partners have been added to their ownership group, including Basketball Hall of Famers Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and U.S. soccer legend Jozy Altidore.
We’re proud to confirm the addition of 10 limited partners to our ownership group for the first time in franchise history!
Sports franchises selling limited ownership stakes is becoming a more common practice. The most notable recent example was Tom Brady purchasing a five percent stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Per Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal, there are several reasons the NFL has started to see more teams open up to bring in more partners for ownership.
One of the reasons cited is simply the value of having famous people as a shareholder. They can use their status as a marketing vehicle for the franchise and league as a whole.
There have already been stories about how the Raiders hope Brady can help them find an answer at quarterback and recruit free agents to play for the organization.
Given how well run the Bills have been, they don't necessarily need to bring in someone of Brady's stature to help turn things around. It doesn't hurt to have three legends of their sport promoting the NFL franchise when they are making the media rounds.
Carter and McGrady don't have a direct connection to Buffalo, but they did at one point in their careers play for the Toronto Raptors. The Bills were the unofficial team of Toronto when they played a series of home games at Rogers Centre from 2008 to '12.
Altidore began his professional career in 2006 with the New York Red Bulls. He later had a six-year stint with Toronto FC from 2015 to '21.
Sean McVay Calls Josh Allen 'A Nightmare to Defend' After Rams' Win vs. Bills
Dec 9, 2024
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams talks with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills before a game at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Following the Los Angeles Rams' 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Rams head coach Sean McVay had MVP-level praise for Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
"(Josh Allen) is a nightmare to defend…. That's why he's a legitimate MVP candidate," McVay told reporters after the game.
Allen recorded 342 yards against the Rams, completing 22-of-37 passes with six touchdowns.
Allen and the Bills did not go down easy against the Rams, converting on 25 first downs while generating 445 total yards of offense.
After holding steady with seven points in each of the first three quarters, Allen led Buffalo to a 21-point fourth quarter to make things interesting.
"Some of the stuff that he can do and the things that he can create, we knew he was capable of doing that, he's shown that it's why he is as well respected and regarded in this league the way he is. It's all deserved and earned," McVay told reporters.
Prior to the Bills' loss on Sunday, Allen became the odds-on favorite to win MVP, with his six-touchdown game further fueling the conversation.
In addition, during Sunday's matchup, Allen became the first player of the Super Bowl era to record three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in the same game, according to CBS Sports, Cody Benjamin.
The 28-year-old will aim to further solidify his MVP campaign next Sunday on the road against the Detroit Lions.
Bills to Invite 8-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Who Was Pushed Down Stairs to Future Game
Dec 4, 2024
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: The Buffalo Bills logo is seen on the field prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills are making a kind gesture to the young fan who was pushed down the stairs during last Sunday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Per Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post, Mikey DeCamilla said in an interview with an ABC affiliate in Buffalo that his eight-year-old daughter, Mia, and their family will be invited to a future Bills game following the incident. Mia is a two-time survivor of liver cancer who reached remission for the second time in May 2023, and she handled the situation in stride, even giving Buffalo advice on how to avoid similar circumstances.
"I am feeling great," Mia said. "I hope that the Bills realize that there's an issue and you need to have security and make it more a family atmosphere and family event rather than a party house."
However, when asked if she would want to return to Highmark Stadium to get a full gameday experience in the future, she shook her head no.
Mia's father explained what led to Sunday night's incident, describing a male Bills fan as being "belligerently drunk" when he barreled past him and his son before shoving Mia to the side and causing her to slip down the stairs and fall into the lap of a 49ers fan.
"From the beginning, these folks behind us—I don't know if it was the same guy or not, I didn't pay attention—but they were, on purpose, throwing snowballs at Niner fans. They even said it out loud, 'We're going to be hitting Niner fans in the head all game,'" the elder DeCamilla recalled.
"He goes 'Well, I'm going to barrel through these Niner fans anyways.' So, he's coming up and he just starts to barrel through and push people out of the way. He kind of tried to bump into me and got past me, when he got past me, it was Mia and he pushed her in the side, which she slipped down the stairs because of the snow…and ended up hitting her rib cage on the seat."
The DeCamilla family chose to leave the stadium following the incident. Police were alerted about the matter, but the family chose not to file a report. The story has since gained traction online, with many showing support for Mia and donating to her GoFundMe page to help pay for her treatments.
The power of the NFL is being felt by Mia a and her family. Her GoFundMe was shared to X earlier today by @AB84 and @DelReid resulting in nearly $15,000 raised so far and climbing!
The Bills have also reached out to provide Mia a better stadium experience with a future visit. pic.twitter.com/69s4YjtGuB
The Bills will be playing back-to-back road games in the next two weeks against the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions before returning home to face the New England Patriots on Dec. 22 and the New York Jets on Dec. 29.
Micah Hyde Signs Bills Practice Squad Contract; Safety Will Retire After NFL Season
Dec 4, 2024
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: Micah Hyde #23 of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field after being defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Micah Hyde is returning to Buffalo.
The veteran safety and the Buffalo Bills agreed to a practice squad contract, the team announced on Wednesday.
"Micah Hyde is in a practice squad role," Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said of Hyde's deal, per Alec White of BuffaloBills.com. "Extremely confident in Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin and Cole Bishop."
Hyde told reporters he is feeling "way, way better" than he did at the end of the 2023 campaign but added "you can guarantee" that he will be retiring after this season ends.
"I just wanted to come back and do anything I could do to help," he said. "Whether, if it's helping young guys understand the NFL on and off the field, older guys helping them, with what they got to do on the field, whatever it may be, I'm here to help. I'm an open book, and so I'm excited for this role, and it's a new role for me. And I'm ready to excel now."
Hyde played the last seven seasons for the Bills and became a fixture in their defensive backfield during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. However, his future was very much up in the air after the 2023 campaign.
"I just have no idea what the future holds right now" he told reporters following the playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. "I'm going to sit down and maybe in a couple of weeks or something and talk to the wife and talk to the family. But we'll see. I'm in no rush at all right now."
He remained a free agent well into the 2024 season after he told reporters in May he will either return to the Bills or retire.
There was also the reality that Hyde is 33 years old and missed three games in 2023 with neck concerns after missing all but two games in 2022 with a neck injury that required surgery. Given his age, the injury history and his status as a free agent, the writing seemed to be on the wall for his time in Buffalo.
That was especially the case after his wife, Amanda, wrote a thank you message to Bills fans on social media.
"Thank you for making this place our home," she wrote, in part. "Thank you for being so good to us. Thank you for making each season so special. And thank you for making this place so hard to leave. You will always have a piece of our hearts, and man, do we love you guys!"
Alas, there will be no goodbyes for now as he is returning.
He spent the first four years of his career on the Green Bay Packers but broke through as a Pro Bowler in his first season with Buffalo in 2017 with 82 tackles, 13 passes defended and five interceptions.
While the Bills haven't won a Super Bowl with him on the roster, he played a big role in the team reaching the postseason each season from 2019 to 2023.
Hyde now joins a Bills squad that has opened the season 10-2, which has allowed it to clinch the AFC East.
Buffalo and Hyde will surely have the Lombardi Trophy in their sights following this deal as he attempts to build on a 2023 effort that saw him post 54 tackles, seven passes defended and two interceptions. While he will start out on the practice squad, Hyde provides the Bills with experienced depth at the safety position.
Report: Bills' Josh Allen 'More Involved Than Ever' as Leader amid NFL MVP Buzz
Dec 4, 2024
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Josh Allen could be bolstering his MVP chances by taking on a larger leadership role in the Buffalo Bills locker room.
ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote that Bills players "talked about the increase in Allen's leadership in this offense and how he has taken ownership of that role on a team in transition."
"Players in the locker room say Allen is more involved than ever in making sure he's attentive to what players want and what kinds of plays and routes the receivers and tight ends like the most," Graziano wrote. "That includes connecting with the defensive players on a personal level to a greater extent than he had before."
According to Graziano, the change came this offseason as Allen saw the need to step up when the Bills lost veterans like cornerback Tre'Davious White, safety Jordan Poyer and center Mitch Morse.
The MVP buzz surrounding Allen increased when he recorded touchdowns passing, rushing and receiving in a 35-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday to clinch the AFC East. He is the first quarterback in NFL history to achieve the feat in the same game.
Allen recorded a passing and receiving touchdown in the same play after he ran his own pass into the end zone in the third quarter following a lateral from Amari Cooper.
Heading in to Week 14, Allen ranks 14th in the NFL with 2,691 passing yards and eighth with 334 rushing yards while tying for sixth with 20 touchdown passes.
He also ranks second with a total QBR of 74.5. He has arguably been more consistent than the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, and his AFC East-leading team has better results than Joe Burrow's Cincinnati Bengals.
Allen will still compete with position players like Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley for the MVP award.
But his memorable Week 13 performance is likely to give him the edge in the race among quarterbacks and could help convince voters he is the most important player to his team in the NFL. It is difficult to imagine the Bills' path to the top of the division without Allen under center.
Reports hyping his leadership skills could provide additional credit to his MVP candidacy. The Bills are 10-2 for the first time since the 1991 season, and the more credit Allen can take for that start the better his case will be.
