Josh Allen: The Bills’ Running Quarterback and His Epic Touchdowns

Josh Allen: The Running Heart of the Bills

In Week 11, the Buffalo Bills sought to secure the victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a score of 37-32 and 2:42 remaining in the last quarter, quarterback Josh Allen demonstrated his skill, carrying the ball to the Buccaneers’ 9-yard line. In second and five, Allen took the ball in shotgun formation, briefly looked to his left towards running back James Cook III, and then lunged forward. He managed to get into the end zone. Allen celebrated the score with a smile, getting up and celebrating, even though he usually hands the ball to an offensive lineman. This touchdown made history, being Allen’s sixth of the game and the third on the ground. In addition, it made him the second player in NFL history with three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in two different games, a feat achieved only once before by Otto Graham in 1954. Allen, at 29 years old, tied Cam Newton at the top of the list for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in the regular season. The record could be at stake when the Bills face the Houston Texans on “Thursday Night Football”. Throughout his career, Allen has become the face of the Bills, leading the team to six playoff appearances and breaking countless records. His combination of size and ability to evade defenders sets him apart, making him a unique player in his position.

From Aspiring to Star: Allen’s Runner Skill Development

The ability to run was not always a standout feature in Allen’s game. Aaron Wilkins, former assistant coach at Firebaugh High School and Reedley College, commented on the evolution of his skills.

During high school, I couldn’t run. I don’t know where he got his legs from.

Aaron Wilkins

Allen attributes his improvement in the running game to his time in Reedley. According to his own words, the focus on training, proper nutrition, and concentration on a single sport contributed to his physical development and his ability to run. A fractured clavicle in 2015 gave him time to strengthen in the gym, transforming him physically. His teammate at Wyoming, James Price, highlighted a 7-yard touchdown against Northern Illinois as a key moment in building his legacy. Bills head coach Sean McDermott acknowledges Allen’s enjoyment of running, but prioritizes his health. Allen’s playing style has evolved, showing fewer risks and more slides.

I like that it presents a different challenge for defenses. They have to account for the quarterback run, which means you get an extra blocker in the run game and it just makes them think about that back there. And even if we don’t use it a lot, it’s always the threat of being there that helps, I think, an offense.

Josh Allen

In his 121 career games, Allen has matched the number of rushing touchdowns of legends like Walter Payton, Edgerrin James, and Marcus Allen in the same number of games. Currently, Allen has the second-most rushing touchdowns since entering the league in 2018, only surpassed by Derrick Henry. Allen has scored 16 rushing touchdowns with the “tush push”. Of his 75 rushing touchdowns, 27 have been from the 1-yard line and 71 from the red zone. His opponents and teammates highlight his size, speed, and intelligence as key attributes. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and 237 pounds, stopping Allen is a difficult task.

It’s the fakes, the ability to throw the ball, what he can do when he throws, and then the pure athleticism.

AJ Epenesa

Allen’s willingness to engage in contact is notable. Morgan Fox, Bills defensive end, describes him as a runner “with a mentality of being a physical and violent runner.” Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety for the Miami Dolphins, has noted that Allen is easier to tackle when forced to run to the sides instead of towards the field. Bills fullback Reggie Gilliam has praised Allen’s ability to run in a straight line, forcing the team’s blockers to stay in position. Many in the Bills’ locker room mention Allen’s touchdown on fourth down against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 season as one of their best moments. Allen agrees: “Yes, that was a good one.” What stands out about that annotation is the timing, with Allen shining in crucial moments, accumulating the most rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter (25). Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady highlights his improvisational ability and his skill in creating plays.

You never know if he’s going to jump, try to run someone over, if he’s going to slip, what he’s going to do. So you always hold your breath a little on the plays, but you don’t break NFL records for scoring rushing touchdowns by running mediocrely. He’s an absolute, dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, and good things happen.

Joe Brady

Allen’s Favorite Annotations

Allen especially enjoys long runs and those in which he overcomes multiple tackles.

Some of their favorites include:

• September 23, 2018 vs. Minnesota Vikings: 10-yard run.

This was the first rushing touchdown of his career, a leap over a defender that marked the beginning of his career.

The jump was a highlight of the match.

Linebacker Anthony Barr, whom Allen jumped over, described it as the quarterback’s “coming-out party.”

• November 25, 2018 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 14-yard run.

Upon his return from an injury, Allen impressed, running through the middle of the field, stiff-arming a defender, and reaching the end zone.

• November 6, 2022 vs. New York Jets: 36-yard run.

This touchdown, his longest run in the regular season, came in a divisional game and was the result of a sweep play.

• January 15, 2024 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 52-yard run.

Although it wasn’t part of his 75 regular season touchdowns, this touchdown in the playoffs against the Steelers is his longest run to date. Allen found a gap in the middle and, with his fakes and speed, made his way to the end zone. Bills offensive lineman Connor McGovern described the play with amazement.