Josh Allen's 5-TD Performance Earns 19th Career Player of the Week Award

Key points

• Allen completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns, adding 14 carries for 69 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
• The award marks his 19th career selection as AFC Offensive Player of the Week, a league-leading total.
• The game was the first regular-season match at the newly opened Highmark Stadium, where Allen scored the first points via a one-yard rushing touchdown.
• Allen achieved his fourth career game with at least three passing and two rushing touchdowns, an NFL record.
• He became the second player in NFL history to score nine or more total touchdowns and four or more rushing touchdowns within a five-day span.

Background

Allen has been the top MVP favorite since Week 1, when he scored four total touchdowns against the Houston Texans. He was also ranked No. 1 on the NFL Top 100 player-voted list earlier this month. His consistent high-level performance has solidified his status as the league's premier quarterback.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and the Buffalo Bills official site both highlight the historic nature of Allen's performance, emphasizing his record-setting dual-threat capabilities. The Bills' report provides detailed play-by-play analysis, noting his 121.4 passer rating and specific targets like Joshua Palmer and Dalton Kincaid. While other outlets like packers.com and raiders.com covered unrelated team news, the consensus across major sources is that Allen's back-to-back five-touchdown games have redefined expectations for the 2026 season. No sources presented conflicting views on his performance, though the Bills' coverage was more detailed in its statistical breakdown compared to the broader league recognition noted by NBC Sports.

Why it matters

Allen's performance cements his position as the NFL's most dominant player, influencing MVP odds and fantasy football strategies. His ability to score through both passing and rushing at an unprecedented rate sets a new standard for quarterback play in the modern NFL.

What to watch

The Bills will continue their season with upcoming divisional games, where Allen's sustained performance will be tested. His MVP odds are expected to remain strong as the season progresses, with competition from Caleb Williams and Lamar Jackson likely to intensify.