Josh Allen picked up right where he left off last season, starting Buffalo’s 2024 season with the Bills’ 34-28 victory over the Cardinals.
The 2023 leader in total yards and touchdowns completed 18 of 23 plus 232 yards and two touchdowns passing and 39 yards and two touchdowns running on nine attempts in Sunday’s victorious home opener.
His ground attack also included a signature Air Allen hurdle run over three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler Budda Baker, which gave him a rushing score in the fourth quarter.
The Bills quarterback appeared to have injured his left hand or wrist while coming down into the end zone, but he was able to hold on and stay in the game.
When asked by the press after the match, he said it was “fine” and that he would “probably” get an X-ray, which he reportedly did after the game.
“I’m not a doctor… I just stumbled upon it,” he added.
The Bills started the first half slowly. Allen lost a fumble on the first drive and scored another rushing touchdown in the second quarter, but it was disallowed due to a face mask violation. He then scored another rushing touchdown before halftime.
In the third quarter, he threw passes to receivers Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins for points, and in the fourth quarter, he increased his yardage by 271 yards, 4 touchdowns and a passer rating of 137.7, erasing a 14-point deficit and perfecting the comeback victory.
The acrobatic aerial acrobatics performance delighted fans and teammates alike.
“I thought, that’s our Josh, that’s what he does, man,” said DE AJ Epenesa.
“I just screamed,” receiver Khalil Shakir said during his postgame press conference.A real competitor. A real warrior. I would follow this guy into battle any day.”
Offensive lineman Dion Dawkins even went so far as to wax poetic when describing Josh Allen’s experience on Sunday.
“He continues to show the world that you should stop playing with his name,” the Bills tackle said. He also noted, “After the national anthem, I thought it was a flyover, I just said, ‘What goes up must come down,’ and I hope he comes down in the end zone, and he did. You know, that big quarterback, it’s hard to stop him, especially when you’re flying. We all wish we could be like a bird, or an eagle, or shoot, even like a dove, and Josh is that every game, so hey, I salute him, I’m glad he’s here, I’m glad he’s my quarterback.”
Regarding the status of his left hand injury, head coach Sean McDermott told the media: “I’m always concerned (with all injuries). I’ll know more in the next few hours.”
Allen was able to manage expectations during his post-game press conference when he was asked to analyze the hurdles match.
“It was a split-second situation again,” he said, smiling about the aerial touchdown. “The first rushing touchdown I dropped my shoulder because I knew it was a corner, the second time I knew it was Buddha, and Buddha is a good player and he’ll smack the ball around your ears, so I decided to go up and over, but, you know, you probably can’t make a living doing that, but that’s the way it is.”
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: A bird? A plane? No, it’s Josh Allen: Bills QB and teammates on aerial TD
