The Buffalo Bills, holding an 8-4 record and firmly in the playoff hunt, are facing mounting scrutiny over their offensive philosophy. Despite the winning position, a cloud of criticism now hangs over head coach Sean McDermott, sparked by prominent NFL analyst Greg Cosell. Cosell has raised serious questions about whether the franchise is maximising the extraordinary talent of their superstar quarterback, Josh Allen.
Cosell's Critique: A Misuse of Elite Talent?
Speaking on the Ross Tucker Podcast on December 4, Greg Cosell did not mince words. He argued that the Bills' coaching staff has leaned too much on Allen's individual brilliance, both as a passer and a runner. Cosell suggested this run-centric approach indicates a lack of faith in the team's receiving group.
"They've got, to me, the most physically gifted quarterback in the league in Josh Allen," Cosell stated. "But they've decided the best way to play offense is with a run foundation and not have Josh Allen throw a lot unless a game demands it." This strategy, according to the analyst, fails to properly harness Allen's unique ability to dominate games through the air.
Josh Allen: Carrying the Load with Historic Numbers
Despite the tactical shift, Josh Allen remains the undeniable engine of the Buffalo offense, putting up numbers that cement his elite status. Through the first 12 games of the season, Allen has completed 243 of 350 passes for 2,832 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His dual-threat capability is more potent than ever, adding 409 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Allen's 2025 campaign is already record-breaking. He now ranks second in total rushing touchdowns (76) since 2018, trailing only Derrick Henry. Furthermore, this season marks his sixth consecutive year with 30 or more total touchdowns, a feat that places him ahead of legendary quarterbacks like Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. His historic three-passing, three-rushing touchdown performance in Week 11 was a stark reminder of how heavily the Bills rely on him to secure victories.
The Root Cause: A Questionable Receiver Room
Cosell's analysis points to a deeper issue behind the conservative play-calling: the development and quality of the wide receiver corps. Compared to other top contenders in the AFC, the Bills' passing attack seems underdeveloped and lacks consistent firepower.
The decision to trade former Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs after the 2023 season continues to loom large. In the aftermath, Buffalo has frequently been forced to elevate players from the practice squad, highlighting the ongoing instability and uncertainty at the position. This roster churn arguably justifies the coaching staff's reluctance to build the offense solely around the passing game.
The Bills are coming off a strong Week 13 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, aiming to build momentum for the final stretch. However, if they harbour ambitions of a deep postseason run, analysts believe changes are imperative. These adjustments may need to extend beyond the weekly game plan to address the roster's composition, particularly at receiver.
For now, Josh Allen's superhero efforts keep the Bills' playoff dreams alive. But the pressing question for Buffalo is: how long can they expect their quarterback to shoulder the entire burden alone?
