For almost three decades the number belonged to Jim Kelly. The Hall of Famer retired in 1997 with 258 touchdown passes for Buffalo, counting the playoffs, and nobody came close until Josh Allen. That changed on Sunday afternoon. With a little over 12 minutes left, Allen hit DJ Moore on an 11-yard strike for his 259th, and he added one more later, to tight end Dalton Kincaid, just to make the new mark his own.
The milestone capped a comfortable afternoon in Orchard Park. Buffalo beat the Ravens 36-10, moved to 6-1 and kept first place in their division, the best start ever by a first-year head coach, Joe Brady. Allen completed 21 passes from 34 attempts, gained 289 yards, threw two touchdowns and ran in a third. Buffalo found the end zone or kicked a field goal on three of their final four possessions, and Allen said that second-half version of the team was the one they want to see every week.
Baltimore’s day fell apart almost immediately. Lamar Jackson had just returned from a three-game absence with an ankle injury, and on Baltimore’s opening snap he damaged the thumb on his throwing hand. Coach Jesse Minter said the two-time MVP needs surgery and returns to injured reserve, a blow that could cost him the rest of the season. Backup Tyler Huntley went down too, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano in charge.
Buffalo’s defence, criticised in recent weeks, feasted. It forced three turnovers, collected four sacks and allowed the Ravens a mere 144 yards of offence. Linebacker Bradley Chubb noted that the youngster had likely not prepared for Buffalo at all, and the defence pounced.
The Ravens host Jacksonville on Thursday night with one healthy quarterback, while Buffalo turn their attention to the Minnesota Vikings next Monday.
