Bills’ Josh Allen Has the Chance to Dethrone Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday Against the Panthers
“If you told me back when I was drafted that I’d be breaking records held by guys like Manning and Roethlisberger, I wouldn’t have believed it. But that’s why we play the game—to keep pushing, keep improving, and keep making history.”
Josh Allen’s rise to NFL stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. The reigning MVP and face of the Buffalo Bills has shattered expectations ever since he was drafted, and he now stands on the verge of surpassing two of the league’s greatest quarterbacks—Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. With a victory on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Allen can set a new record for the most wins by a quarterback in his first eight seasons, surpassing both legends.
When Allen entered the NFL, few could have predicted the trajectory his career would take. Many doubted his ability to lead, especially given his raw talent and inconsistent college career. Fast forward to today, and Allen is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league, consistently breaking records and leading the Bills to the top of the AFC East.
On Sunday, Allen has the opportunity to add another milestone to his growing list of achievements. With a win, he would surpass both Manning and Roethlisberger for the most wins in the first eight seasons of a quarterback’s career. For Allen, this is just the latest in a series of records that have cemented his place among the greats.
Following two consecutive losses, the Bills are hungry for a comeback, and history is on their side. Under head coach Sean McDermott, the Bills have a perfect 8-0 record after the bye week since 2017. Allen, known for bouncing back after tough losses, has a 7-0 record in games following two consecutive defeats. In those games, he averages over 25 points per game and 274 passing yards, with an impressive 15-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
But the opportunities don’t stop there for Allen. If he rushes for two touchdowns against the Panthers, he will tie Cam Newton’s record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history, including playoffs. Additionally, if Allen records a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the same game, he will break Newton’s record for the most games with both a passing and rushing touchdown in NFL history.
With history on the line, fans can expect Allen to deliver another stellar performance. A win on Sunday will not only keep the Bills in playoff contention, but it will also serve as a reminder to the league that Josh Allen is still in the process of rewriting the NFL record books.
Red Sox, Jason Varitek Resolve Contract Situation For Next Season: Report
May 27, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox coach Jason Varitek watches third inning action against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Jason Varitek has been a member of the Boston Red Sox organization since he was traded there as a catching prospect in 1997. Now a member of the coaching staff, that means 2026 will be his 30th season -- and it appears all potential roadblocks to Year 30 have been cleared away.
Varitek and the Red Sox hadn't come to terms on a new contract for the upcoming season, which was noteworthy because shortly after the current season ended in the wild-card round at the beginning of the month, most of the remainder of the coaching staff was confirmed to be returning.
The mystery appears to be over, though, as on Friday, Sean McAdam of MassLive reported that the Red Sox and Varitek were finalizing a multi-year deal that would keep him in Boston in his current position.
Varitek staying on in Boston
"Varitek’s contract as the team’s game-planning and run-prevention coach expired at the end of the season," McAdam wrote. "There had been speculation that Varitek might receive some interest as a managerial candidate elsewhere, but it appears that there were no requests to interview him.
"It’s unknown how long the new deal is for, though one industry source speculated that it would run through the 2027 season to alignwith manager Alex Cora’s deal."
Varitek retired after the 2011 season as a player, having served as the team's captain from 2005 onward and won two World Series titles. He then served in an advisory role in the front office from 2012 to 2018, and after a year where he didn't appear in the staff directory, he was first named to the coaching staff in 2020.
Red Sox starting catcher Carlos Narváez has been vocal about how much Varitek has helped his development, so no one is likely to be happier about the news of the former captain's return.
Boston's coaching staff appears just about set, as the only other noteworthy item was parting ways with assistant hitting coach Ben Rosenthal and bringing in John Soteropulos in his place.
