By The debate regarding the degree to which a player is considered clutch can get a bit fuzzy. After all, there’s a myriad of ways that one may define the concept of “clutch” in athletics.
CBS Sports broke down this idea with quarterbacks in mind. He examined two specific aspects when creating his list:
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- The quarterback’s late-game conversion rate on game-tying or go-ahead drives
- The expected points added (EPA) in these game situations.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen landed fourth on the rankings. Clawson highlights:
Josh Allen is top 10 in every criteria mentioned off the top, including fifth in clutch drive conversation rate in both 2023 and for his career. He led three game-winning drives as the Bills finished last season on a five-game win streak and stole the AFC East title from Miami.
Bills fans have become accustomed to Allen’s late-game theatrics. His ability to take over games on his own is something to behold.
If anyone wishes to question Allen’s clutch resume, CBS Sports brings up an old wound for the Buffalo faithful:
And before you question his clutch credentials, just remember the heroics in a 42-36 loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs a few years ago.
In that game, Allen went 27-of-37 for 329 passing yards and four touchdown passes. He added 68 yards on 11 rushes.
With the Bills offense in transition, they will rely on Allen even more than in the past. Buffalo moved on from two of Allen’s top receiving options, Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Expect Allen to take over more games as the new faces settle into Joe Brady’s offensive scheme.
CBS Sports’ full list of the top-10 most-clutch quarterbacks in the NFL, including Allen, can be found below:
Oct 4, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of a NFL game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Nov 2, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) carries the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston (92) pursues during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) tosses the ball away on an attempted catch the results in an interception in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. The Bengals lost the season opener, 16-13, as the game-tying field goal went wide-right in the final seconds of the game.
Los Angeles Chargers At Cincinnati Bengals
Nov 24, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) drops back to make a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks to pass against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 07: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Oct 16, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
