Through two weeks, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have looked borderline unstoppable on offense, hanging 36 points on the Houston Texans—widely considered to be the top defense in the NFL—in Week 1 before pilling up 41 points on the Detroit Lions in Week 2.
Allen became the first player in league history to have at least five passing TDs and three rushing TDs through the first two games of a season, and as good as Allen has been to date in his NFL career, it seems that new Bills head coach/former
offensive coordinator Joe Brady is helping unleash Allen’s full potential early in the 2026 NFL season.
After two weeks, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by discussing how Brady is positioning Allen to thrive in this dynamic offense, including how the Bills are trusting Allen to do damage with his arm in first- and second-down situations.
Check out the assessments below and then let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Bills are unleashing Josh Allen in early-down scenarios
Unlike in past years under former head coach Sean McDermott, when the tendency was for Buffalo to run the ball with dynamic running back James Cook on first down—including last year, when the Bills ran more than 50% of the time on first and second down—so far this year, Joe Brady has given Josh Allen the green light to attack downfield in early-down scenarios, and Bills fans have to love the results so far.
The Bills are throwing the ball more than 55% of the time on first and second down (eighth-most in the NFL) this year. In leading an offense that has scored touchdowns on 10 of its 18 possessions (not counting end of half kneel down situations), Brady is dialing up more passing plays on early downs, and those passing plays are taking place downfield and resulting in big chunk plays instead of bubble screens and checkdowns.
Through two games, Allen’s average depth of target (aDOT) is 10.5 yards, which puts him tied for third among all QBs this year and represents Allen’s highest aDOT since his 2018 rookie season and a marked improvement from last year’s 7.8 figure, the 11th-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks.
On the whole, Brady has called for passing plays on 57.9% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps (tied for 18th most), far more than the last year of McDermott’s tenure (54.1%, 30th in the NFL). And Allen is connecting more on those deep passes, ranking tied for third in completions of at least 20 yards with nine so far.
After tearing apart the Lions in Week 2, Allen’s stellar play netted him his 19th AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor of his career.
- Joe Brady watch: Bills unleashing Josh Allen on first down more often – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- The Bills have 77 points in two games and Joe Brady still wants more – Democrat & Chronicle
- Josh Allen appeared three steps ahead of the Lions. The film tells a deeper story – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Week – WGR 550
- Bills quarterback Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Week – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Week – WGRZ
- Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 2 takeover against the Lions – BuffaloBills.com
Even more Bills news
Examining the high praise being heaped on disruptive defensive tackle Deone Walker following another big performance. Plus, get the latest news around injuries suffered by wide receiver DJ Moore and defensive tackles Ed Oliver and T.J. Sanders; find out which former Bill is back as insurance depth along the defensive line; and see where Buffalo ranks among the Super Bowl favorites after two weeks.
- How Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker found his confidence — and became a force – The Athletic (subscription required)
- D.J. Moore is practicing Wednesday. What did Bills WR say about playing Sunday vs. Chargers? – newyorkupstate.com
- Moore practices Wednesday; Coleman, Oliver absent for Bills – WGR 550
- Bills defensive lineman Sanders out indefinitely after appendectomy – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Joe Brady: T.J. Sanders had an appendectomy, will not practice Wednesday – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- DJ Moore, Ed Oliver, Keon Coleman Injury Updates from Bills’ First Week 3 Practice – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills bring back former interception leader with Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders sidelined – Democrat & Chronicle
- Buffalo Bills add familiar face, sign veteran DL Austin Johnson to practice squad – newyorkupstate.com
- Bills sign DL Austin Johnson to practice squad – BuffaloBills.com
- Buffalo Bills Bring Familiar Penn State Product Back to Orchard Park for DL Insurance – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Around the NFL: Is the Bills’ schedule as difficult as expected? – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Super Bowl odds: Bills clear No. 2, plus what history tells us about Ravens – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Super Bowl LXI odds: Bills close gap on Rams, Bears tumble – ESPN.com
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Josh Allen earns honor for his Week 2 performance vs. Lions – Buffalo Rumblings
- More injury news for T.J. Sanders, veteran DT signed to practice squad – Buffalo Rumblings
- New-look defense under Jim Leonhard offers mixed bag of early returns – Buffalo Rumblings
- DeWayne Carter has gone from nearly cut to decent rotational piece through two games – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills vs. Chargers odds: Opening lines for Week 3 matchup – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills will face a Chargers team thin at TE in Week 3 – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills can’t dismiss this overlooked tendency in NFL before Chargers game – Buffalo Rumblings
- Can you guess this Bills linebacker in today’s in-5 trivia game – Buffalo Rumblings
- Feed Post of the Day: Josh Palmer, Secret Superstar – Buffalo Rumblings
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