'Just Like Brady!' Patriots' Belichick Praises Bills’ Josh Allen
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has had an up-close view of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen's ascent from highly touted but inconsistent rookie to Pro Bowl signal caller.
In his first professional season, Allen completed 52.8 percent of his passes for 2,074 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 12 games.
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Allen took a strong step forward in Year 2, helping guide Buffalo to the playoffs - but still only connected on 58.8 percent of his attempts for 3,089 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Everything changed for Allen in his third campaign, as he finished runner-up in MVP voting, was named second-team All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.
This leap in production reminded Belichick of one of his own former players - Tom Brady, the three-time MVP and seven-time Super Bowl Champion.
"Just kind of like Brady," Belichick said Wednesday. "Once Brady got to a certain point there in 2003, that's pretty much the way it was the rest of his career. It wasn't really like that in 2002. It wasn't like that in 2001. It certainly wasn't like that in 2000.
"From (midseason 2003) on, his level of performance and play and consistency was at the very top of the league."
Dec 23, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) meets Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) after the game at Gillette Stadium. Patriots defeated the Bills 24-12.
Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Brady, of course, had a much different entrance to the NFL, arriving as a sixth-round pick who ultimately played in just one game as a rookie.
He took over for Drew Bledsoe in 2001, playing in 15 games with 14 starts and earning a Pro Bowl nod. He also not only won the Super Bowl, but took home Super Bowl MVP honors, and followed suit by leading the league with 28 touchdown passes in 2002.
But Brady found a new level in 2003, finishing third in MVP voting while completing 60.2 percent of his passes for 3,620 yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. New England finished 14-2 and won the Super Bowl.
From thereon, Brady maintained his greatness - and Belichick feels Allen, despite having a different playstyle, has reached a similar part of his career.
"Those quarterbacks, usually when they get to that point, they're able to sustain it," Belichick said. "Sometimes you just don't know what the growth pattern is going to be. It doesn't really matter where he was or where he is right now.
"He's pretty good. Real good."
Allen is 5-5 against the Patriots, with all five wins coming in his past seven starts - but New England took the most recent meeting, defeating Buffalo 29-25 on Oct. 22.
Now, the two sides are set to see each other again Sunday, with Allen and the Bills (9-6) will host Belichick and the Patriots (4-11) at 1 p.m. EST inside Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo needs a win for its playoff hopes, New England is trying to play spoiler and Allen, with the comparison to boot, aims to play Brady-esque by delivering another signature performance.
