Jul 21, 2026, 2:20 PM CUT

Bills’ nightmare scenario for 2026 could put Josh Allen’s Super Bowl hopes at risk

NFL, American Football Herren, USA Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills Nov 16, 2025 Orchard Park, New York, USA Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 takes the field prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Highmark Stadium. Orchard Park Highmark Stadium New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGregoryxFisherx 20251116_ajw_fb5_155

Josh Allen has done everything right, but the Buffalo Bills defense has not. Since 2020, the Bills' defense has surrendered 27+ points in every playoff loss—a pattern that could doom Allen's 2026 campaign.

“This has been the biggest story for the Bills in the Josh Allen era,” Brandon Ray of Buffalo Down wrote on July 20. “The playoffs come and while Allen delivers big time, it’s been Buffalo’s defense that has been the reason why the Bills face an early exit. Since the 2020/2021 season, the defense has given up no less than 27 points in each of their playoff loss.”

In 2025, the Bills’defense was ranked 12th overall. They allowed an average of 293.1 yards per game last year.

Sport Bilder des Tages January 4, 2020, Houston, Texas, U.S: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) watches a fumbled ball roll on the turf during the third quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game between the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on January 4, 2020. Houston won in overtime, 22-19, to advance to the AFC Divisional Round. AFC Wild Card 2019 - Bills 19:22 Texans - ZUMAw137 20200104_zap_w137_076 Copyright: xErikxWilliamsx

The Bills’ defense has faltered only recently. Between 2021 and 2023, the Bills were one of the top five defenses in the NFL. From 2020, the team has consecutively won the Wild Card games.

They have either won divisional games like in 2024 or lost them and the AFC Championship game like in 2020 and 2024.

Last season, the Seattle Seahawks, the reigning champions, had the best defense overall with 292 total points (17.1 per game). In the year before that, the Philadelphia Eagles gave up just 17.8 points per game.

“If the Bills make the playoffs, and once again fall short because of the defense falling apart, Bills fans are going to be living through that nightmare once again,” the report further added.

Allen, 30, is entering his ninth season in the NFL with an 8-7 postseason record. Like all the years before this one, the goal remains the same: lift the Lombardi Trophy. While the Bills’ defense poses as a concern, Allen has been ranked as the best QB going into this season.

Josh Allen’s reigns as the top QB with total touchdowns in a decade

Earlier this month, ESPN asked NFL exec, coaches and scouts to rank the best quarterback going into this season. Josh Allen was ranked first on the list and took Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes’ place.

Last year, he was second to Mahomes. This year is special for Allen for another reason.

“Josh Allen has the most total touchdowns in the NFL since 2016. He was a sophomore at Wyoming in 2016,” a July 20 X post by Built in Buffalo reported.

In 2016, Allen was a sophomore in the Wyoming Cowboys. That season, he threw 28 passing touchdowns. Since then, he has thrown 355 total touchdowns. Allen has led the Bills and its offense for years but whether the defense lets him down this season is to be seen.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar