Josh Allen has been receiving considerable acclaim, but a recent comparison might be perceived as a critique of the Bills’ star quarterback. Allen has faced his share of skeptics throughout his career, and many questioned his ability to perform at a high level without his top receiver, Stefon Diggs.
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs.Alt: Josh Allen throws a pass during a Buffalo Bills game.
However, even without Diggs for a period, Allen has led the Bills to a winning record, comparable to other top quarterbacks in the NFL, excluding Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes. Despite his success, some still harbor doubts about the quarterback leading the AFC East’s dominant team following the New England Patriots’ dynasty. Recently, a former teammate of Brett Favre voiced his preference for another quarterback over Allen in terms of clutch performance.
James Jones Favors Jalen Hurts
On a December 3rd episode of “The Facility,” NFL analyst James Jones stated that he would choose Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts over Josh Allen when it comes to consistent playmaking.
Jones argued, “If we’re talking about on a consistent level, making the play to help your team win a football game, Jalen Hurts does that. Are you going to sit here and say that Josh Allen is more consistent at doing that than Jalen Hurts? You’re not.”
Alt: Jalen Hurts prepares to throw a pass during an NFL game.
He continued, “So that’s all I’m saying. Now, we’re not saying Jalen Hurts is better than Josh, but when you have to be consistent to make a play to win a game, Jalen Hurts does that however it may look.” While seemingly attempting to avoid directly ranking the two quarterbacks, Jones’s comments clearly indicated his belief in Hurts’ superior consistency.
Consistency is widely considered crucial for success in the NFL. Quarterbacks who are prone to inconsistent performances, such as throwing multiple interceptions in one game and multiple touchdowns in another, often find themselves missing the playoffs. Conversely, quarterbacks who consistently avoid critical mistakes and deliver in key moments tend to lead their teams to winning records.
Jones, having played with both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers during his career with the Green Bay Packers, has firsthand experience with elite quarterback play. His perspective adds weight to the comparison between Allen and Hurts.
Allen vs. Hurts: A Statistical Comparison
Examining the statistics, Allen currently has more passing touchdowns than Hurts, but they share the same number of interceptions. However, Hurts boasts a higher completion percentage of 68.4% compared to Allen’s 64.6%. This suggests that Hurts is slightly more likely to complete a pass when his team needs a crucial play. Hurts also holds a slightly higher passer rating this season at 101.8 compared to Allen’s 100.3, further supporting Jones’s assertion.
Alt: Josh Allen reacts after a fumble during a Buffalo Bills game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ultimately, playoff performance often determines a quarterback’s legacy. The question remains: Which quarterback, Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts, will lead their team deeper into the playoffs and ultimately solidify their standing among the league’s elite?
