Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is widely recognized as one of the premier players in football, often considered among the very best. Despite his impressive talents and regular season statistics, Allen has yet to lead his team to a Super Bowl appearance, a challenge shared by other elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson.
Following the release of ESPN’s recent quarterback rankings, Patrick Mahomes retains the No. 1 spot, though debate continues. Former quarterback Dan Orlovsky pointed out that Allen and Jackson carry a significant playoff performance burden due to repeated failures in critical postseason games.
“What makes the conversation at least relatively interesting is specifically Josh and Lamar,”
Orlovsky said.
“They’ve played themselves into the category, the burden, the weight of it doesn’t necessarily really matter that much anymore how great you are in the regular season. You got to go get it done and you got to go beat Patrick when it matters the most.”
“So, Josh, who was sensational last season, and then Lamar, who was great last season, they got three MVPs between them, and they’re zero and three in the AFC title games.”
Josh Allen’s Postseason Challenges Despite Regular Season Success
Allen’s regular season performances have often been outstanding, with statistics that could rival any quarterback’s career best—such as a 17-0 record, 50 touchdown passes, 5,000 passing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns. Yet, none of these achievements quiet the growing scrutiny that follows his playoff appearances.
Over the past five seasons, Allen and the Bills have consistently claimed their division title and competed deep into the playoffs. Still, none of these efforts have resulted in a Super Bowl berth. The two times Allen’s Bills reached the AFC Championship game, Patrick Mahomes and his team ended their runs, cementing the recurring challenge Allen faces.
The 2025 season appears poised to increase the stakes even more. With the Bills and Allen viewed as established contenders, any postseason struggles may draw even sharper criticism, while regular season success alone may no longer be enough to satisfy expectations.
This dilemma places an intense burden on Allen, one few quarterbacks willingly accept: to perform not just at an elite level in the regular season, but also to deliver when the playoff pressure is highest.
Buffalo Bills Positioned as Serious Super Bowl Contenders
The Bills remain widely regarded as legitimate contenders for the Super Bowl, given their consistent performance and talent across the roster. However, analysts emphasize that postseason results ultimately define legacies, making the playoffs the true test of a team’s championship potential.
Josh Allen’s career trajectory will continue to be closely monitored as he seeks to translate his regular season dominance into playoff success — a pursuit that shapes both his reputation and the Bills’ championship hopes.