The Buffalo quarterback stepped up in a crucial moment, handing the Chiefs their first loss of the season. Additionally, Anthony Richardson and Bo Nix delivered standout performances, making this week’s NFL plays truly memorable and worth a second look.
This week, the film room spotlight is on the AFC.
In what many are calling the game of the year so far, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs showdown lived up to the hype, with the outcome hinging on the quarterbacks. Despite both Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes throwing key interceptions, it was Allen who delivered the clutch play when it mattered, igniting celebrations throughout western New York.
Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson made a strong case for keeping his starting job with the Indianapolis Colts, reclaiming the role in impressive fashion. He led the Colts to a victory over the New York Jets, showcasing both style and substance in his performance.
Finally, Bo Nix, who many pundits predicted would struggle after coming out of Oregon in April, is proving the doubters wrong. Alongside a tenacious defense, Nix is leading the Denver Broncos, who now find themselves in a playoff position as they head into Week 12.
But first, let’s head to Buffalo, where Josh Allen’s mobility made the difference in a crucial win.
Josh Allen runs over Chiefs, literally, for a huge win
Some plays go beyond strategy—they’re about sheer determination.
On Sunday night in Buffalo, Josh Allen may have crafted the best play of the season for exactly that reason. Facing a crucial fourth-and-2 from the Chiefs’ 26-yard line, with the Bills clinging to a 23–21 lead, the pressure was on. A first down would allow Buffalo to drain more of the clock, as Kansas City had two timeouts left and only 2:17 remaining in the game. Instead of settling for a field goal, the Bills opted for a pass, while the Chiefs countered with a four-man rush and shallow zone coverage.
When Allen reached the top of his drop, the situation looked grim. Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ star defensive tackle (No. 95), immediately broke through with pressure, none of Buffalo’s receivers were open, and yet—there it was—an open rush lane to the right. The Chiefs had left Allen unguarded without a spy, giving him the chance to seize the moment.
The moment Josh Allen spotted the open lane, he took off. Defensive end George Karlaftis (No. 56) lunged at Allen but failed to bring him down. Linebacker Drue Tranquill (No. 23) had a chance to make the stop, but he chose to stick to his coverage assignment instead. That left linebacker Nick Bolton (No. 32) as the last realistic hope to stop Allen. It didn’t end well for the Chiefs.
The outcome was a 26-yard touchdown run by Josh Allen, sealing a Bills victory, handing Kansas City its first loss of the season, and firmly positioning Allen as a contender in the NFL MVP race.
Anthony Richardson took his job back, and then took wing against the Jets
Just two weeks ago, Anthony Richardson had been benched in favor of Joe Flacco. But on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, Richardson reclaimed his starting role and played like a quarterback determined to hold onto it.
The Colts found themselves down 27–22 to the Jets with 2:14 left in regulation. Facing a second-and-6 from their own 34-yard line, Indianapolis lined up in a balanced formation with two receivers on each side. Positioned on the far right was wide receiver Alec Pierce (No. 14), with All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner (No. 1) lined up across from him.
At the snap, Richardson dropped back quickly and prepared to throw. Sauce Gardner, playing in shallow zone coverage, was responsible for carrying Alec Pierce up the sideline on a deep route before handing him off to safety Jalen Mills (No. 35).
But Richardson’s well-timed pump fake caused Gardner to hesitate for just a split second. That brief pause was all Pierce needed to keep streaking up the sideline on a go route, leaving Richardson with a narrow, yet viable, window to launch a deep pass.
In the end, Richardson delivered a perfect throw, despite coming into the game with a league-worst 44.4% completion rate. The pass moved the Colts into New York territory, setting up a game-winning drive that concluded with Richardson’s four-yard touchdown run.
After a slow start, Bo Nix is looking like the answer in Denver
In the season’s first month, Bo Nix seemed to be another rookie quarterback facing a challenging debut season as he adjusted to the NFL. But recently, he’s looked like a quarterback ready to lead the Broncos on a playoff run.
In last weekend’s dominant 38–6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Nix was in complete control of coach Sean Payton’s offense. The former Oregon star completed 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions—his best statistical performance of the year. Yet one particular play highlighted Nix’s development, a quarterback who now boasts 14 touchdown passes and just one interception in his last eight games.
The play came just before the two-minute warning in the second quarter, with Denver leading 21–6. Facing a second-and-7 from their own 33-yard line, the Broncos showed trips to the left while star receiver Courtland Sutton (No. 14) lined up on the right. The Falcons set up in a two-deep zone to prevent any big gains, but this type of coverage always has a vulnerability: the middle of the field, just behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties.
Despite the tight window, Nix executed the throw flawlessly. He recognized the coverage and saw an opportunity to make a big play, but it came with significant risk. A poorly placed throw could easily lead to an interception by linebacker Nate Landman (No. 53), or an overthrow could put the ball in the hands of one of the safeties.
Instead, Nix dropped a perfect pass over Landman’s outstretched arm, delivering the ball right into the hands of receiver Devaughn Vele (No. 17) for a 33-yard gain, just in front of All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III (No. 3).
The throw was emblematic of Denver’s big day against Atlanta, and also the growth of its quarterback.
