The Detroit Lions host the Buffalo Bills in week 15 with a great deal riding on this game. Although the contest features a competitive shootout between the NFL’s top two offenses, there’s more at stake than which team walks away with the victory. This game could ultimately become a story of redemption and triumph between Jared Goff and Josh Allen, two of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL.
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks Goff v. Allen
Goff and Allen are at the top of their game and enjoying MVP-caliber seasons. But that’s not all these two quarterbacks have in common. California natives, Goff and Allen were the top-rated quarterbacks in their respective draft classes and were selected early in the first round. However, despite being top college prospects, they share a history of being overlooked, dismissed, and occasionally devalued in their professional careers. It’s only made them even hungrier for success and validation.
Josh Allen -Consistently Great But Underrated
Allen may be the best quarterback in the NFL. With his superior athletic ability, he recently accomplished something no other quarterback has, recording a rushing, passing, and receiving touchdown in the same game. Playing in a blinding snowstorm, Allen caught a lateral pass from wide receiver Amari Cooper and slammed into the endzone for the score.
Year after year, Allen is in the conversation for league MVP. But despite his on-field achievements and incredible eye-popping stats, he’s never reached the Super Bowl. The Holy Grail remains just out of reach.
Allen- The Early Quarterback Years
A standout talent in basketball, baseball, and football, Allen was nonetheless passed over by the top college programs. After attending Reedly Junior College in his freshman year, Allen transferred to the University of Wyoming. However, that was only after being turned down again by his first choice, Fresno State.
Before the 2018 draft, it became apparent the 6’5″ 237 lb. Allen was special when ESPN analyst Mel Kuiper predicted he would be taken before Lamar Jackson, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield. As it turned out, Mayfield was drafted first by the Cleveland Browns; the New York Jets selected Darnold third, and the Buffalo Bills traded up to take Allen with the seventh pick.
Allen became the Bills starting quarterback in his rookie year. But he experienced a bumpy start to his NFL career. Despite being the first quarterback in franchise history to lead the team in passing and rushing categories, the Bills finished with a 6-10 record. Allen was labeled an inaccurate passer with too many incompletions.
Things improved in his second year. Allen surpassed 3,000 yards and led the team to the playoffs with a 10-6 record. However, he was again criticized for his low passer rating of 58.8, the worst in the league. In the Wild Card match against the Houston Texans, the Bills lost in overtime 22-19 despite Allen’s strong game.
Allen-The Quarterback Rivalry
Over the next four years, the Bills earned regular season records with at least 11 wins. In 2020 and 2022, they finished 13-3. The team made the playoffs every year. Advancing to the AFC Championship round in 2021, the Bills took on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills lost by a score of 34-21.
Since then, a rivalry between Buffalo and Kansas City developed with the two teams consistently battling for the AFC title. The teams met six times over the years with the Chiefs winning four of those games. Despite all the accolades and record-breaking statistics, Allen has been on the outside looking in as the Chiefs earned back-to-back Lombardi Trophies. As an ultimate competitor, anything less than total success can feel like failure. Will this be the year everything finally comes together for the Bills quarterback?
Jared Goff-The Golden Boy
At first glance, Goff began his NFL Career as a highly celebrated, successful golden boy. Selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the first overall pick in the 2016 draft, Goff was the local hometown hero. But his rookie year in the NFL proved to be a rocky debut. He didn’t get the starting assignment until week nine and the Rams finished the year with a dismal record of 4-12.
In his second season with the Rams, Goff led his team to their first playoff appearance in 13 years and was named to the Pro Bowl. The following year in 2018, he finished the year passing 4,688 yards with 32 touchdowns and was selected to his second Pro Bowl appearance.
He also took the Rams to the Super Bowl LIII that year. But the Rams were beaten 13-3 by the New England Patriots and Goff missed out on the ultimate prize.
Jared Goff-Not Good Enough
His outstanding early accomplishments in Los Angeles carried a high premium. Despite Goff ending the 2019 season with 4,638 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and two more rushing touchdowns on 40 yards, the Rams’ 9-7 record eliminated them from playoff contention.
The next year, Goff was closing in on another 4,000-yard season when he suffered a broken thumb in week 16. Although Goff recovered and led the team to the Divisional Playoff round, the team lost to the Green Bay Packers 32-18. When the Rams failed to reach the same heights as his first two years, Goff was dismissed as ‘not good enough.’
A Historic Trade of Quarterback Talent
Coach Sean McVay began looking elsewhere for his starting quarterback. What followed was one of the more successful trades in NFL history with the Lions trading Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Goff and future draft picks.
Being summarily dismissed from the Rams stung but Goff found his home as the face of the Lions franchise. Detroit fans have embraced Goff’s superior athletic ability, calm demeanor, and mature leadership. Averaging more than 4,000 passing yards a season with the Lions, Goff is on his way to another 4,000-yard season with four games remaining.
Goff has never looked better as he continues to shatter NFL passer records. Repeated chants of “Ja-red Goff” are heard from hordes of enthusiastic Lions fans filling away-game stadiums. However, he is equally admired for his dedication to the community. His civic and charitable contributions have led the Lions to name Goff their 2024 Walter Payton Award nominee.
Two Top Quarterbacks Goff and Allen go Head To Head
Sunday’s game features two superior quarterbacks on a quest for NFL greatness and personal redemption. This game will undoubtedly be a quarterback Masterclass from Allen and Goff. Bills head coach Sean McDermott refers to Allen as an alien describing how his athletic prowess makes him a nightmare to defend. But the Bills offense relies entirely on him. The Lions have a more balanced team with a great cast of supporting talent. Goff’s quiet determination and steady manner hold up well under pressure. After a disastrous start in week 10 against the Houston Texans, he rebounded to emerge with the win.
Despite numerous injuries to starters, Aaron Glenn’s patchwork Lions’ defense has performed admirably. Sunday’s game will be the ultimate test for both teams. Which defense will be tough enough to contain the NFL’s best offense? Ultimately, this game may be decided by whichever defense can limit the opposing star quarterback.
Main Image: Kimberly P. Mitchell – USA Today Sports