Week 3 vs Cincinnati
Josh Allen is 2-0 and that is not a fantasy stat, but it does tell you he is playing well. His yardage was almost identical as Week 1, but he didn't throw a pick against the Giants and produced two touchdowns - one in the air and one on the ground.
Allen has a great matchup for the home opener against the Bengals who are 24th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Cincy wasn't expected to be strong defensively which will mean opportunities will be available for him.
Start Allen for Week 3 as the young quarterback is putting up decent numbers and considering the Bengals defense is down, this is good a week to put Allen in your starting lineup.
Week 2 at New York Giants
Josh Allen was serviceable last week against the Jets. The main negative was his two interceptions. He did throw and run for a touchdown and he threw for 254 yards and completed 65% of his passes.
Allen will now face the other New York team who was torched last week by Dallas. The Giants rank 22nd in aFPA to quarterbacks. Considering Allen played at Met Life last week, he should be comfortable in the environment.
Considering the matchup and the fact Allen looked good last week, he ranks as a low-end QB1. He definitely should be considered an option as your starting quarterback this week as he ranks higher than a lot of high-profile quarterbacks including Russell Wilson, Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees.
Week 1 at New York Jets
Josh Allen starts his second season with the Bills and he has plenty of room for improvement. His accuracy was spotty at times during his rookie campaign and he only threw 10 touchdown passes. The good news is he looked better the second half of the season. In his first six starts of his career, he threw over 200 yards once, but finished on a streak of five games over 200 yards passing to end the season.
Allen will face a division rival to start the season. He faced the Jets only once last season as he was injured for the first meeting. Allen only completed 50% of his passes for 206 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
When drafts were happening in 2019, Allen was taken as strictly a backup and his value was really in keeper or dynasty leagues. For Week 1, he ranks a low-end QB2 and should remain on the bench to start the season.
Fantasy Upside
Josh Allen is the unquestioned starter in his second season for the Bills. There is plenty of room for improvement, but the team did make some moves in the offseason to help him. Allen did run the ball well in 2018 as he was actually Buffalo’s leading rusher with 631 yards. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry. The offense actually did improve the last seven games of the season as the Bills went from 248 yards per game to 363 yards per game and more than doubled their point production.
Fantasy Downside
The passing numbers were ugly for Allen. He completed only 52.8% of his passes for just over 2,000 yards. He threw 12 interceptions while only finding the end zone 10 times. Although Zay Jones had some bright spots at wide receiver, the signing of Cole Beasley for the slot will only be a slight upgrade. The offensive line was also addressed in the offseason and it needed it. That should help Allen but there are still question marks.
2019 Bottom Line
It’s really not fair to judge Allen as the Bills didn’t handle his playing time the right way and he didn’t have enough weapons around him. They did address some issues and Allen’s passing numbers will be better although it’s hard to see him go any higher than 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. That is probably his ceiling. He ranks a low-end QB2 entering the season so he is a decent pick somewhere around Rounds 13-15 as your backup quarterback.
Week 17 vs. Miami Dolphins
Josh Allen continues to show why he is still a rookie with inconsistent play. Last week against the Patriots, he completed only 49 percent of his passes while throwing two interceptions for the second time in three weeks. After two 100+ rushing yard games, he has been held to 46 yards the last two games. The future looks bright for the young quarterback but 2019 will be a better gauge where Allen is in the quarterback hierarchy.
For the season finale, Allen will face a struggling Miami defense that is ranked 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks. This matchup pushes Allen up the fantasy quarterbacks rankings to a high-end QB2. He might even be worth a start considering he rushed for 135 yards and threw for 231 in the first meeting with the Fins.
Week 16 at New England Patriots
After two straight games rushing for 100+ yards, Josh Allen wasn't bailed out with the running game. The passing numbers continue to be so-so. He did throw for 204 yards and a touchdown. He did not throw a pick. However, Allen was held to 16 yards rushing, but did score a rushing touchdown of the third time in the last four games.
Allen faces the Patriots for the first time in his career. New England is 24th in aFPA to quarterbacks. The running ability of Allen has raised his stock in recent weeks to the point where starting him this week is not out of the question. We still rank him a high-end QB2, but he might be a good option to replace someone like Cam Newton.
Week 15 vs. Detroit Lions
Josh Allen looked like a rookie throwing the ball last week against the Jets completing only 50 percent of his passes for 206 yards. He had zero touchdown passes and threw two interceptions. However, once again he eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark and had a rushing touchdown to salvage the fantasy week. Allen has back-to-back 100+ rushing yard efforts.
The rookie will face the Lions who are 24th in aFPA to quarterbacks. The rushing yardage has made Allen fantasy relevant, but he is going to have to increase his passing efficiency if he is going to be an impact player. He rates a QB2 for Week 15.
Week 14 vs. New York Jets
Josh Allen put up some of his best fantasy numbers last week thanks to a crazy day running the football. The rookie ran the ball nine times for 135 yards, plus added 231 passing yards and two touchdown passes against Miami. It was his second-highest passing yard total of the season and the first time he threw multiple touchdowns in a game this year.
Allen will face the Jets for the first time in his career, as he missed the first meeting with New York who is 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks. With his play last week and a favorable matchup, Allen has his highest fantasy quarterback ranking of the season as a low-end QB2. That still keeps him on the bench against the Jets, but maybe a late-season pickup for depth might be warranted.
Week 13 at Miami Dolphins
In his first start coming back from an injury, Josh Allen put up some strange fantasy numbers. His passing stats looked like a rookie completing 42 percent of his passes for only 160 yards. He did throw a touchdown pass and avoided any turnovers. However, Allen rushed 13 times for 99 yards and another score in the Buffalo win. Those rushing numbers also gave him a decent fantasy day.
Allen will hit the road and face Miami who is 17th in aFPA to quarterbacks. You still have to be concerned about Buffalo's offense as a whole and Allen's numbers which have not been good despite the near 100-yard rushing day. For Week 13, keep Allen on the bench and waiver wire. He has very little fantasy value at this time.
Week 12 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Allen will return to the starting lineup for the first time since Week 6. He has completed only 54 percent of his passes and has thrown two touchdown passes compared to five interceptions. He has averaged about 150 passing yards per game.
Buffalo will face the Jaguars who are ranked 12th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Allen might be the future for the Bills, but he has very little fantasy value in 2018. Allen is only valuable in keeper leagues as a possible future QB but for Week 12, he should remain on the waiver wire.
