During the 2023 NFL season, and even now, many Bills Mafia members have been calling for the replacement of Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott. Some believe that Josh Allen, a generational talent, makes coaching easy and therefore, it doesn’t matter who replaces McDermott. This led me to wonder what would happen if Josh Allen had been the quarterback for the underachieving Bills teams of the past, such as the 2004 team.
The 2004 Buffalo Bills had hired offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey after the departure of Gregg Williams. The team finished the season with a 9-7 record, but lost to backups in a “win-and-in” game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mularkey retained defensive coordinator Jerry Gray and brought in Tom Clements as the offensive coordinator. The team played a 4-3 scheme on defense and an Erhardt-Perkins scheme on offense.
Despite having an offensive-minded head coach, the Bills’ offense only averaged 1.73 points per drive, ranking 13th in the league. The defense was fifth-best in preventing points, allowing 1.37 points per drive. The team generated plenty of pressure, ranking fourth in total sacks with 45 and third-best in rate. Buffalo had a high number of touchdowns from defense and special teams, with 10 in total.
On the offensive side, quarterback Drew Bledsoe was in his final year with the team before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys. Running back Willis McGahee made his debut and was backed up by Travis Henry. Mike Williams was a key player on the offensive line. The team focused on two receiving threats, Eric Moulds and rookie Lee Evans, with Evans having the better touchdown, catch rate, and yards-per-target numbers.
Overall, while the 2004 Bills had a decent season, there was room for improvement. It’s interesting to consider what would have happened if Josh Allen had been the quarterback for the team.
The 2004 defense boasted impressive talent, evident from the names on the list and the numbers they put up. The starting defensive line comprised Sam Adams (Pro Bowl), Pat Williams (TD on interception), Chris Kelsay, and Aaron Schobel, while the linebackers featured Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher, with Spikes having an All-Pro season. The defensive backfield saw Terence McGee and Nate Clements make the Pro Bowl at corner, and Lawyer Milloy’s numbers suggested he deserved recognition too.
While Josh Allen’s impact on the defense may not be significant, as they were already playing at an elite level, his presence could have made a difference on offense. The lack of star power beyond Moulds and Evans was a challenge, extending to the running back room. With two legitimate WR1-caliber players and a more mobile quarterback, the Bills could have made the playoffs and potentially gone further.
Despite some questionable head-coaching decisions, Allen’s scrambling ability and avoidance of sacks could have secured wins against the Jaguars and Raiders. However, losses to the Patriots and Ravens may have still occurred, and the Week 17 loss to the Steelers’ backups remains perplexing. Overall, the Bills’ talent was undeniable, and with Josh Allen, they could have achieved even more.
Regarding the Week 17 game, the Bills, led by Allen with 12 wins, have no chance of taking the one seed from the Steelers, who will be playing their backups. The Patriots are still leading the division, and the fifth seed is set in stone, so Buffalo will also play backups. The game will likely be lost on the defensive side, but the Bills’ backups may find a way to win. The outcome of the game will not affect the prediction that the Bills will end the season with either a 12-4 or 13-3 record.
The Bills’ win over the Jets eliminates NY from the playoffs, but the playoff bracket remains the same. The Steelers have the head-to-head over the Patriots and have a record of 14-1-?. The Patriots have a record of 14-2, while the Colts and Chargers have records of 12-4. The Bills have a record of 12-4, and the Broncos have a record of 10-6. The prediction is that the Bills will lose to the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
In the Divisional Round, the Bills will defeat San Diego, and in the AFC Championship, they will lose to the Patriots. Although Allen is a mobile quarterback, New England has the best defense in football this season, and Allen will not be able to find two more touchdowns to force overtime or a win.
If the Bills manage to beat New England, the Super Bowl against the Eagles will be a toss-up. This series is only a thought experiment to spark discussion on the Buffalo Bills.
