Sean Payton Speaks on Challenge of Defending Bills QB Josh Allen

There is more than one way to skin an NFL quarterback.

The Denver Broncos accomplished that task the last time they took the field — in Week 8 — holding Chiefs rival Patrick Mahomes to a mere nine points and an ill-fitting exit from Empower Field. It was the franchise's biggest victory since Super Bowl 50 and a potential job-saver for embattled defensive boss Vance Joseph.

But, as Denver emerges from its bye, another high-profile challenge awaits: Bills superstar Josh Allen, whom they'll face in Buffalo on Monday Night Football.

“They’re different players. Both have that second act," head coach Sean Payton said Thursday, comparing Mahomes and Allen. "What I mean is that ability to make you defend, instead of for three seconds, six or seven seconds. We’ve seen that. The last time we played these guys that I recall—we really struggled the last time. The one thing when he’s healthy, besides the RPOs, there are some quarterback runs that gap you one short. You guys kind of know the math with that if the quarterback’s the runner. So that becomes challenging. Those extended plays, those would be some similarities. We remember these players when they came out and their combine numbers. Everyone has a different journey, right? His has been pretty amazing. When you see him, he’s big, I mean, holy cow. He’s impressive and he’s a sharp guy. He’s certainly earned the respect that he has in this league and what he’s accomplished so early in his career.”

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Coming off a tough loss to Cincinnati, the Bills are currently 5-4 and, if the season ended today, would fail to qualify for the playoffs. You couldn't tell by judging Allen's numbers, however.

Entering Week 10, Allen leads the NFL in QBR (75.3) and ranks second in completions (231) and completion percentage (71.3%). He's also tied for second in touchdown passes (18) while adding 233 rushing yards and six scores on the ground — the league's highest-graded signal-caller, according to Pro Football Focus.

Allen is well on his way to a third Pro Bowl selection, and damaging that campaign will prove a difficult task for the visiting Broncos. Hardly impossible, though easier said than done considering Allen's career home record (32-12) and the fact that Buffalo rarely drops two straight under HC Sean McDermott.

If there's a saving grace for Payton and company, the Broncos are remarkably healthy after having not played since Oct. 29. The break, too, afforded the opportunity to get a jump-start on their plan of attack against Allen, which should closely resemble their plan against Mahomes.

"We’re a day ahead with our prep, but someone said it would be nice to play these games every 10 days," Payton said. "Obviously, we don’t. What you have additional this week, you get a little by subtraction next week and you adapt to it. You still have to stay away from too much, but it obviously gives you a little more clarity when you are looking at the film. There are changes from last year, certainly from us when you look at us. With those guys, they’ve had some injuries in all three phases. You’re trying to put your best plan together and, obviously, your nights aren’t quite as late when you have this additional time.”

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