Bills Notebook: Josh Allen wins (another) AFC Offensive Player of the Week award
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen went 33 of 46 for 394 yards and two passing touchdowns, and he rushed 14 times for 30 yards and two more touchdowns in the Bills’ thrilling 41-40 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
Stop if you’ve heard this one before: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. For the 16th time in his career, in fact, extending his franchise record.
Allen went 33 of 46 for 394 yards and two passing touchdowns, and he rushed 14 times for 30 yards and two more touchdowns in the Bills’ thrilling 41-40 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen throws during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News
In the fourth quarter alone, Allen threw for 251 yards and recorded both of his rushing touchdowns, becoming the first player in NFL history to accomplish the feat in a single quarter. His 251 passing yards were the most in the fourth quarter of a win in the NFL since 1996, when the Cincinnati Bengals’ Boomer Esiason threw for 252 at Washington.
Allen’s career rushing touchdown total is now at 67, breaking a tie with Thurman Thomas for the most in franchise history.
Allen’s 16 player of the week awards are the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2018.
Johnston ‘excited’
Cameron Johnston was home with his wife and infant son in Columbus, Ohio, when the Bills called to invite the 33-year-old punter to Orchard Park for a tryout.One day later, the Bills called Johnston again to offer him a contract. The veteran practiced Wednesday for the first time with his new teammates, especially long snapper Reid Ferguson and kicker Matt Prater.
“All of a sudden, the call came,” the Australian said in the Bills’ locker room. “It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’m excited to be here.”
All it took was one game for the Bills to decide they needed to make a change. Brad Robbins, who won the job in mandatory minicamp, punted the ball just 28 yards in the fourth quarter of their 41-40 come-from-behind win Sunday night. His four punts had a net average of 38 yards and an average hang time of 4.31 seconds.
Johnston was available because the Pittsburgh Steelers cut him at the end of training camp. He signed a three-year, $9 million with them in 2024 before he suffered a season-ending ACL injury on his third punt in Week 1 last September. A player from the Atlanta Falcons dove into his leg after he booted the ball downfield.
“It was more frustrating than anything to start with a new team and hurt my knee three punts into the season, but I quickly shifted my focus to getting the rehab done and attacking the process,” Johnston said.
In 2023 with the Houston Texans, Johnston averaged 47.7 yards on 66 punts, with 30 landing inside the 20-yard line. He ha’s also kicked for the Philadelphia Eagles during his eight-year NFL career.
Bills add Mathis
The Bills made an addition to their practice squad Wednesday ahead of practice, signing defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.A 6-foot-4, 314-pounder, Mathis, 27, played in college at Alabama. He originally entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick of the Washington Commanders in 2022. Mathis played in 23 total games for Washington from 2022-24, compiling 25 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and one pass defended. He was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference choice for the Crimson Tide in 2021 and played in 55 games for Alabama overall, recording 129 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. Mathis most recently was with the New York Jets during the preseason, so perhaps he’ll have an insight or two into the Bills’ upcoming opponent.
Injury report
The Bills opened the practice week with some good news, as cornerback Tre’Davious White returned as a limited participant. It was the first practice for White since he hurt his groin Aug. 21, an injury that kept him out of Week 1.It wasn’t all good news, however, as nickel cornerback Taron Johnson and linebacker Shaq Thompson did not participate. Johnson suffered a quad injury during Sunday’s game, head coach Sean McDermott said, while Thompson has injuries to his hamstring and hand.
Cornerback Brandon Codrington (knee), defensive end Greg Rousseau (knee) and tight end Dawson Knox (hip) also were listed as limited participants.
