NFL2 hours ago2 minute read

Josh Allen Dominates NFL Goal Line Rushing Records

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is posting historic numbers near the goal line as Buffalo prepares to face Baltimore.

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Historic Efficiency at the Goal Line

Since 1977, 153 NFL players have carried the ball at least 30 times from the 1 or 2 yard line. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen leads every single one of them.

Allen has taken 53 carries from that range and scored 43 touchdowns. That equals an 81.1 percent conversion rate. No player sits within five percentage points of him. Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell, quarterback Cam Newton, and T.J. Duckett are the only players within 15 percentage points.

Allen already has seven goal line rushing touchdowns in six games this season, helping Buffalo start with five wins and one loss. Jamaal Williams holds the single season record for short yardage touchdowns with 13 in 2022.

Power Plays and Physical Toll

At around 6 foot 4 and 230 pounds, Allen brings rare size to the position. Push plays have boosted his numbers. Out of his 43 short yardage touchdowns, 22 came on traditional push plays.

Coach Joe Brady took over playcalling midway through the 2023 season. Since then, 21 of Allen's 27 short yardage touchdowns came on push plays.

These plays require intense physical effort. Offensive tackle Dion Dawkins called working in the pile torture, while Allen noted that sneaks bring heavy hits. Still, Buffalo relies heavily on him. Running back James Cook III has scored on 11 of 22 career goal line tries and is 1 for 3 this year. Allen is 7 for 7 in those situations this season.

Chasing Milestones Against Baltimore

Allen holds the record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 87, and his eight rushing touchdowns this year tie for the league lead.

He needs 39 rushing yards on Sunday to reach 5,000 career rushing yards. That would make him the fifth quarterback in NFL history to hit that mark, joining Lamar Jackson, Michael Vick, Russell Wilson, and Cam Newton. Two more rushing touchdowns would also make him the eighth player this century to score double digit rushing touchdowns in four straight seasons.

What it means for the next game

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (NFL, Sun, 01 Nov): Buffalo Bills win 56%, Baltimore Ravens win 44%; projected score Buffalo Bills 27, Baltimore Ravens 25. Our safest pick: Under 60.5 points.