Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen created history with a 52-yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, sparking a heated internet discussion.
Allen threaded his way through the Steelers’ defense for a second-quarter touchdown that put the Bills ahead 21-0, utilizing a change-of-direction maneuver to go past defensive backs at the second level. However, several Steelers supporters criticized the action, accusing Allen of utilizing a “fake” slide to freeze Steelers defenders and help in the long touchdown run.
The issue drew in some Bills fans and media, who disputed the notion that Allen was attempting to trick the defense with a maneuver banned at the collegiate level after being employed by now-Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Some Steelers Fans Angry Over Josh Allen’s Move.
Allen’s run — the longest postseason running score in team history and the second-longest by a quarterback in NFL history — drew much plaudits from the NFL community. Many Steelers supporters were also outraged, accusing him of feigning to fall down in order to avoid being struck by defenders.
“This is why the league can’t baby QBs,” one user remarked on X. “Allen slows down as if he is about to fall or slip, but then continues to run. If he gets smoked, it’s a punishment. “Tilted playing field.”
Others said that the NFL created an unfair environment for defenders by providing greater protection to quarterbacks, making them unwilling to follow through on hits.
“It’s a fake slide – QBs shouldn’t get extra protection if they decide to run,” another fan remarked on X. “Making tackles in the open field is difficult enough at fast speeds; the uncertainty of whether the quarterback will slide only adds to the difficulty. Players do not want to risk losing money and being fined.
However, many Bills supporters pointed out that Allen did not appear to make a downward movement that would have resembled a slide, but rather delayed as he changed directions.
Report Andrew Siciliano of the NFL Network also defended Allen, noting that his approach was considerably different from Pickett’s more evident false slide while at Pitt.
“Josh Allen did not fake a slide,” he stated on X. “THIS is a fake slide.”
Teammate ‘Begged’ Josh Allen to Go Down.
Allen’s teammates were pleased by his long run. Khalil Shakir, a wide receiver who scored his own highlight-reel touchdown in the fourth quarter, said his “jaw dropped” when he witnessed Allen’s lengthy run.
“That guy can make anything happen at any given time,” Shakir stated, according to X reporter Jonathan Acosta. “When you’ve got a guy like that on your team, especially leading the team at quarterback… good luck.”
Bills center Mitch Morse had a more visceral reaction, claiming in an interview on the Pat McAfee Show that he was encouraging Allen to go down on the play and that teammates had attempted unsuccessfully to persuade him to modify his behavior.
“We’re begging that f***er to slide once in a while,” Morse said with a laugh.