Josh Allen’s impressive statistics in 2025—3,731 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and 12 rushing touchdowns—certainly paint a picture of a top-tier quarterback. However, as Shannon Sharpe aptly points out, legacy isn’t solely about numbers; it’s about stepping up when it counts. Allen’s numbers, though elite, don’t shield him from the harsh reality of playoff heartbreaks, particularly the infamous 2022 playoff loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. In that game, Allen delivered a near-perfect performance, yet it was Mahomes who clinched the win in the final moments. That defeat remains a stain on Allen’s legacy, as despite stellar stats, his team’s defense failed to hold the Chiefs in the clutch.
The NFL’s new overtime rules, which have sparked controversy, seem to add fuel to this ongoing debate about Allen’s legacy. The rule change, allowing both teams a chance to possess the ball in overtime during the regular season, has created mixed reactions. Under the new format, if the game remains tied after 10 minutes, it ends in a draw—something that Ochocinco has criticized for being boring and unsatisfying. He also noted that these ties mess with betting spreads and the integrity of the game, leading to frustration from fans and analysts alike.
The real issue for Allen is how these new rules affect teams like the Buffalo Bills, who already struggle with crucial playoff moments. In the 2022 playoffs, a coin toss and defensive breakdowns handed the game to Kansas City in overtime. As Sharpe pointed out, it wasn’t just about the coin toss—defensive mistakes allowed Mahomes to quickly drive into field goal range in just 13 seconds, leading to the Chiefs tying the game and eventually winning in overtime.
Sharpe and Ochocinco both agree that defense is what ultimately wins games, and Allen’s struggles in high-pressure moments have led to further criticism. Although Allen put his team in a position to win, missed opportunities, including a controversial fourth-down play, kept the Bills from sealing the deal. The Bills’ defense, despite the hefty salaries of players like Myles Garrett, failed to stop Mahomes in that crucial moment.
The irony is that the NFL changed the overtime rules in response to that heartbreaking Chiefs-Bills game, yet the new rules have still done little to help Buffalo overcome Kansas City. As Sharpe humorously noted, Chiefs fans might argue that the new rules were designed with the Bills in mind, ensuring that Buffalo would finally get a fair shot at victory. But until Allen and the Bills can overcome Mahomes and the Chiefs in a crucial playoff game, every passing season and stat line remains just a backdrop to that fateful 13 seconds that still haunts Buffalo.
In the end, Allen’s legacy is in limbo. While his numbers are impressive, they will never fully overshadow the frustration of coming so close to victory, only to fall short due to bad defense, bad luck, and perhaps an inch too short on that fateful fourth down. Until he can break through against Mahomes and the Chiefs, Allen’s legacy will be eternally defined by those haunting moments of near greatness.