Sports media often exhibits a tendency to indulge in recency bias, leading to exaggerated claims. One such example is the assertion that Josh Allen is the most tortured player in NFL history; he might not even be the most tortured quarterback in Buffalo Bills history. Nonetheless, let’s hear what Dan Orlovsky has to say on the matter.
A vocal advocate for Allen, Orlovsky has consistently defended the quarterback against those who label him as “overrated.” He has even gone so far as to champion Allen as this season’s NFL MVP. Hence, it must have been especially painful for him to witness the Bills fall 32-29 to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. After all, this is a franchise weighed down by its history, one that notoriously lost four consecutive Super Bowls in the ’90s. Once again, the Bills came up short in a pivotal moment against the Chiefs.
“I think it’s the most haunted organization — it might be the most haunted player in the history of the NFL,” Orlovsky said. “Four straight Super Bowl losses 30 years ago, and now, four straight losses to Patrick Mahomes when your quarterback plays just as well? The point differential in those games is five points. We’re talking about a career that could be classified as all-time great versus just really good — right now.”
“I think it’s the most haunted organization and might be the most haunted player in the history of the NFL.”
—@danorlovsky7 on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills 😯 pic.twitter.com/XFU4blYP4s
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 27, 2025
“I love Josh… No one, I don’t think, in the media champions Josh more than me,” Orlovsky continued. “He got the ball back, down three, with a chance to go get it done.” Unfortunately, it resulted in six plays, 17 yards, and a turnover on downs. Orlovsky further noted that in playoff history, teams scoring three or more touchdowns without turning the ball over are 140-19. Allen happens to be the only quarterback with multiple such losses, having three—all against the Chiefs in the last four seasons.
While it may seem like hyperbole, the statistics are hard to contest. Yet, Jim Kelly may have a claim to this title as well, being the only quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to four consecutive Super Bowls—and lose all four. So, while the Bills may be haunted by their historical misfortunes, it’s a curse that Allen, despite all his talent, cannot seem to break. Until he does, that haunting legacy will remain intertwined with his narrative alongside his MVP-caliber seasons.
