Ron Rivera Reacts to Bills' Josh Allen Silencing Commanders Pass Rush
Few players in football are more demoralizing to a defense than a well-executed pass rush getting erased by the legs of the quarterback. Coming close to stopping an elite quarterback well behind the line, only to give them four new chances to extend a drive, is so incredibly demoralizing.
It is also what Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen specializes in. The 6-5, 238-pound tank of a human being also happens to be incredibly athletic, and when he gets rolling, he’s hard to stop.
On Sunday, Allen ran only three times for 46 yards, but each one cut deep. Early in the first drive of the game, he evaded defenders on third-and-10 for a 13-yard gain and a new set of downs. Four in-game minutes later, the Bills would take a 3-0 lead.
Soon after, Buffalo found itself backed up in their own territory. From the 11-yard line, Allen found himself running again, this time for 23 yards. What could have been a three-and-out to set Washington up with pristine field position instead turned into a parade down the field, tiring out a Commanders defense and helping let the game slip away. The Bills would eventually win, 37-3.
Washington head coach Ron Rivera spoke about Allen’s impact on the pass rush, which—despite coming close—failed to register a sack.
“I think Josh Allen got into our guy’s head a little bit after that first couple series,” Rivera said.
Josh Allen looks downfield as Washington's Montez Sweat attempts to find his team's first sack of the game.
USA Today
Allen’s rushes weren’t the only ones to gash the Commanders’ defense. Running back James Cook had himself a day, approaching the century mark on 15 rushes.
The game quickly got out of hand as Buffalo’s defense dominated quarterback Sam Howell, leading to short fields and quick drives. The Bills outgained Washington by 156 yards and had nearly 10 more minutes of possession. Of course, they won the turnover battle five to one.
Even a defense as talented as the Commanders' couldn’t stand a chance.
“There’s a frustration that comes with it too when you feel like you should be making a sack, you should be making a play,” Rivera continued. “It gets to guys, it does.”
Allen’s final rush of the day culminated in an end-zone finger roll and six Buffalo points.
Obviously, Washington didn’t play very well on Sunday. Allen, and other out-of-structure phenoms, can have that effect on a defense. Perhaps anything other than a lifeless offense would’ve kept this one on track, at least for a little longer.
The Commanders’ fearsome pass rush will have a chance to make its presence felt on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, who boast their own mobile quarterback in Jalen Hurts.
