Josh Allen continues to dazzle amid inconsistent Bills season - ESPN

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Watch how Josh Allen streaked down the field to celebrate with wide receiver Khalil Shakir after an 81-yard touchdown pass vs. the New York Jets in Week 12.

It was one of a variety of moments in the past five weeks where Allen's personality was visible on the field — a stretch that saw Allen's Buffalo Bills go 4-1 to work back into playoff contention despite one of most difficult strengths of schedule in the league during that period. With two games remaining, Buffalo now has an opportunity to secure a playoff berth as soon as Sunday against the New England Patriots (1 p.m. EST, CBS).

It's all been led by Allen. During a sixth season in which the quarterback has experienced ups and downs, changes in mindset and an in-season coordinator change for the first time in his career, the joy is present in a big way. It's also helped keep Allen in the MVP conversation, where he currently has the fourth-best odds (plus-1100), per ESPN Bet. A two-game stretch to win the AFC East could certainly improve those chances.

«I think this team has started to come into its own and form its own identity. And that's been fun to watch, quite honestly, and just guys really sharing their true personalities and their love for one another,» coach Sean McDermott said this week. «And it's been fun to watch that develop over the last couple of weeks and Josh driving that in particular and his urgency, his vulnerability, his leadership. Usually as Josh goes, we go.»

While he has 15 interceptions this season (second-most in the league), Allen's numbers have been otherwise very impressive, including...

Second in total EPA (71.6), with the fewest sacks of a quarterback that has started all 15 games (20).

Leads the NFL with 40