Ranking Josh Allen among dual-threat QBs Bill Belichick has faced in playoffs
Bill Belichick has seen just about everything in the playoffs. With six Super Bowl rings as a head coach, it isn’t difficult to see why. Simply put, it’s virtually impossible to spring a surprise on him. That said, he’s in for a unique test this upcoming weekend.
Throughout Belichick’s time as the New England Patriots head coach, he’s taken on a long list of Hall of Famers. He’s also faced a large variety of quarterbacks. Ultimately, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills might be the most dynamic.
Allen is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the league today, something that keeps Belichick up at night. For the most part, Belichick has grown accustomed to facing QBs who can bomb the ball down the field and tuck it and run it. But, more times than not, he’s faced absolute statues in the pocket.
We’ve decided to take a peek at the dual-threat QBs Belichick has faced during his tenure with the Patriots in the postseason. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t a very long list.
At this point, Belichick owns just about every record for a head coach but did you know he’s gone a perfect 6-0 against quarterbacks that we consider dual-threats in the playoffs? Can he make it seven? And where does Allen rank among those multifaceted signal-callers Belichick has faced in the playoffs?
Ranking Josh Allen among dual-threat quarterbacks Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has face in playoffs.
7. Tim Tebow
Tebow magic was real, very real.
The Denver Broncos attempted to give quarterback Kyle Orton a chance during the 2011 season, but after watching him stink up the joint, they washed their hands of him and threw Tim Tebow into the fire. On pure willpower, guts, and sheer desire, Tebow led the Broncos to the playoffs.
His stats weren’t pretty that season. Tebow finished his lone year as a full-time starter having thrown for just 1,729 yards on 46.5 completion percentage. He was a beast on the ground, though, finishing the 2011 campaign with 660 rushing yards.
Anyone who believes the Broncos had no chance against the Patriots in the divisional round was fooling themselves. As big-time underdogs, Tebow led Denver to an unlikely win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tebow played out of his mind, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 50 yards and one score on the ground.
It was clear that Belichick paid close attention to that game and wouldn’t allow him to replicate that level of success. By the time halftime came rolling by, the game was effectively over. The Patriots led 35-7 before winning 45-10.
Belichick cooked up a special defense for Tebow. The former Heisman winner finished with just 136 passing yards, completing a pathetic nine passes in 26 attempts. He was also sacked five times.