Josh Allen and Buffalo Bills may have ended Week 18 in glorious fashion, but as the star quarterback acknowledged after beating the Miami Dolphins, the real praise belongs with a team far from the playoff picture.
Allen’s Bills iced Sunday’s season finale with a 21–14 win over the Dolphins that improved a playoff berth secured for the club earlier in the day after the Tennessee Titans spoiled the Jacksonville Jaguars’ bid. During his postgame press conference, Allen made sure to express how relieved he was entering the game and thank the Titans for beating the Jags.
“Honestly, it was a big relief,” Allen told reporters. “Coach Vrabel and the Titans, I’m a fan of those guys. They helped, obviously, with us in this situation and it helped today. So, got to thank those guys. ”
"Coach Vrabel and the @titans — I'm a fan of those guys."
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 8, 2024
Josh Allen said it was a "big relief" to know @buffalobills were already in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/fe2vMhfwWW
With Jacksonville out of the way, Buffalo walked into a highly anticipated showdown on Sunday Night Football facing less pressure despite the game still having high stakes in what was a de facto AFC East championship game. In the end, it was Allen and Co. who triumphed to secure the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a fourth consecutive division title.
As the Bills prepare for wild-card weekend, Allen will look to lead his team to its first Super Bowl appearance in 30 years after turning in a wild 359-yard, two-touchdown and three-turnover night to close the regular season.
