Josh Allen is still a good quarterback, even after AFC Championship Game loss

Josh Allen had a humbling outing in the AFC Championship Game, but the future is still very bright for the Buffalo Bills signal caller.

The Buffalo Bills ended a lot of streaks this season. They won the AFC East and a playoff game for the first time since 1995. Quarterback Josh Allen had a breakthrough, and borderline MVP, season in his third year.

Buffalo had a 9-0 lead in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, before the Kansas City Chiefs turned the tide and led 38-15 before the Bills scored the game’s final nine points. Allen finished 28-for-48 for 287 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, along with a team-high 88 rushing yards.

Not bad numbers really, but he was also sacked four times for 53 lost yards and accumulated a lot of production in the second half.

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Sunday’s game was also just the third time in 19 games this year Allen did not complete more than 60 percent of his passes. One of the others was also against the Chiefs, in a 27-16 Week 6 loss (14-for-27 for 122 yards).

The future is still very bright for Josh Allen

Allen entered the NFL in 2018 with concerns about accuracy and the level of his performance when he did play tough competition at Wyoming. But from Year 2 to Year 3, his completion percentage went up nearly 10 percent (69.2), with noticeable gains in yards per attempt (7.9), adjusted yards per attempt (8.5), passer rating (107.2 and QBR (81.6).

The acquisition of wide receiver Stefon Diggs last offseason was a big help, but the work of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has to be noted too.

Daboll got looks for head coaching jobs in this year’s cycle, and it briefly seemed inevitable he’d get the Chargers’ job. But they went with Brandon Staley, and Daboll is staying in Buffalo for at least one more year. That’s great news for Allen, as he looks to take the Bills further in the postseason.

Falling short against the Chiefs is not a huge black mark for Allen. He’s still a good quarterback, with a chance to be great if 2020 proves to be the start of a trajectory.