Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell understands his squad will face a difficult battle this week against a quarterback who has established NFL records in consecutive games.
On December 15, the Lions will host the Buffalo Bills in a conference rivalry game. The Lions are now in first place in the NFC, while the Bills are attempting to close the gap on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC standings. The game will feature two of the league’s best offenses, and Campbell is well aware of the challenge his squad will face against MVP frontrunner Josh Allen.
Dan Campbell: ‘This is Not Going to Be Easy.’
Campbell issued a warning to his team this week, saying his defense will face a “huge task” in trying to contain the Bills quarterback.
“He’s got a big-time arm, he’s accurate, he can read defenses, and then he’s got the physical ability to take off and run,” Campbell said, via SI.com. “And, he can run over people, he can run around you, he can get on the perimeter. So, yeah, this is going to be a huge task for us. This is not going to be easy.”
Campbell told reporters that he is still studying Allen, but he believes the Bills quarterback has done a decent job of preserving the ball. Allen struggled with interceptions last season, but quarterback has made considerably less mistakes this year, throwing only five interceptions.
“He is challenging, and I haven’t had a chance to truly deep dive them yet, but I do know this: he’s taken care of the football,” Campbell said. “He’s taking the plays that are there, and once he progresses, if it’s not (there), then he uses his legs. So, I feel a more patient player out of him, and because of that, he’s playing at a very high level. And, that makes him even more dangerous.”
Record-Setting Run for Bills Quarterback
Allen has been especially hot of late, setting NFL records in each of his team’s last two games. In his team’s win over the San Francisco 49ers, Allen became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for a touchdown, rush for a touchdown and notch a receiving touchdown — one he took in on a lateral from wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Allen set another record in last week’s 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, becoming the first player in league history to record three passing and three rushing touchdowns.
After last week’s game, Rams head coach Sean McVay referred to Bills quarterback Josh Allen as a “alien,” claiming it’s difficult to contain him since he excels in so many areas.
“He can extend, keep his eyes down the field or he can run away from you. He can break tackles. I mean, he’s a nightmare to defend and so it’s a balance,” McVay said, via SI.com. “I don’t think you can just sit back and let him navigate the pocket. He can beat you from the pocket, he can beat you with his mind, he can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his legs. It’s why he’s a legitimate MVP candidate. It’s why he’s one of the best players in this league.”
