Stephen A. Smith says Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen won't get past the Denver Broncos — despite calling him one of the best in the business.
Speaking on ESPN's 'First Take', Stephen A. Smith broke down why he believes the Buffalo Bills face an uphill battle on the road in Denver .
Josh Allen, who is battling both knee and finger injuries, will lead a depleted Buffalo team into one of the most challenging environments in the league, as the Denver Broncos prepare for their first playoff home game in a decade.
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post
Stephen A. Smith argued that while Josh Allen remains an elite quarterback, the Denver Broncos' defensive front and secondary present too many problems.
He highlighted the Broncos' relentless pass rush and all-around balance, along with the Bills' health, as the deciding factors.
"No, nonsense. This is ridiculous. Josh Allen's got the knee injury, got the finger injury, but he'll overcome that. They got 14 dudes on IR — 14! Okay, you got Shakir out, you got Davis out.
"I'm just looking at Denver — 68 sacks on the season. You got seven different guys with at least seven sacks, led by Bonito with 14. They're going to get to the quarterback. You got Patrick Surtain shutting down half the field. It's just too much to overcome."
He added that while Allen is one of the most gifted players in the NFL, this matchup heavily favours Denver. "I get it, we love Josh Allen. He's one of the best in the business. But he's going home."
The Buffalo Bills enter the game with one of the longest injury lists in the league, missing several key starters on both sides of the ball.
Allen's determination is unquestioned, but the loss of top targets has forced Buffalo to adjust its offensive approach.
The Broncos, meanwhile, are rested and healthy after their bye week. With a top-tier defensive front and Patrick Surtain leading the secondary, Denver will look to capitalise on Buffalo's thin depth to strengthen their own postseason push.
Smith concluded that while Allen's talent and leadership are undeniable, this game may simply prove too difficult given the circumstances surrounding the Bills' roster.
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