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Buffalo Bills signal caller Josh Allen is one of the most talented players in the NFL. Those attributes were on full display during a four-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
With that being said, he’s also earned the tag of flopper. He’s been seen all too often egregiously overexaggerating contact in order to draw flags from referees.
@gamedayszn Josh Allen’s curse is that he plays as good as whoever he plays against @NFL #flop #nf #buffalo #bills #vibe ♬ RICH – indie tribe & nobigdyl.
It’s a scene that’s played out a number of times throughout the passer’s career. When he feels contact after a throw or after a whistle, his arms flail and his head jerks back.
Just last week during a game against the Rams, he was seen trying to bait officials into an unsportsmanlike conduct foul while walking back to his huddle. His acting efforts failed in that instance.
@wholikessports Josh Allen came to LA & decided to become an actor 🎭😭 #joshallen #bills #rams #losangeles #flop #funny #viral ♬ original sound – Who Likes Sports?
Josh Allen was at it again this past Sunday. On one particular play, he scrambled for positive yardage before sliding in front of a Detroit Lions defender. The would-be tackler slowed up after seeing the quarterback hit the grass. Still, he made minimal contact as he approached Allen.
Former NFL referee Gene Steratore believes the play warranted a flag, though he noted that the contact was not “severe.”
The hit to Josh Allen on this slide was late and he was clearly down. Although the contact wasn’t severe, Allen protected himself by sliding at the correct time. This warranted a flag from my view.
-Gene Steratore
Allen did his best to sell the contact to officials. As soon as he felt the defender, you he jerked his head back in an exaggerated motion.
Another day, another Josh Allen floppic.twitter.com/WuC4EAhdXT
— how bout those CHIEFS (@hbtCHIEFS) December 15, 2024
Josh Allen was not rewarded with a flag, though it may have been penalty-worthy. Maybe he’s not given the benefit of those calls given his size and tendency to run the football. Or maybe NFL refs are catching onto the quarterback’s schtick.