Josh Allen stats today: Bills QB, OC Joe Brady dial up perfect plays at right time vs. Broncos in wild-card win

Josh Allen has proven time and time again to be inevitable in the wild-card round, and the Broncos' defense learned that firsthand on Sunday. 

After Denver jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, the Bills gradually strengthened their grip on the game with the help of timely plays from Allen. For much of the day, the gap between the two teams didn't seem as large as the 31-7 final score indicated. The difference, however, is Allen constantly delivered on third and fourth down, while the Broncos did not.

The real tests are still ahead for Allen and the Bills as they seek a trip to the Super Bowl, but Allen flashed much of what Buffalo will need to survive the gauntlet that is the top of the AFC.

Here's a look at Allen's stats and best moments from Sunday's win over the Broncos.

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Josh Allen stats vs. Broncos

• Comp.: 20-26 (76.9%)
• Pass yards: 272
• Pass TD: 2
• INT: 0
• Rush yards: 46
• Rush TD: 0
• Sacks: 2

Allen had a clean day against the Broncos, finishing 20-of-26 for 272 yards and two touchdowns plus 46 yards on the ground. The Bills dominated time of possession, holding onto the ball for just under 42 minutes. 

The Bills' offense ran the way Joe Brady envisioned entering the season, with an efficient running game and no individual receiver dominating Allen's targets. Eight different players caught a pass from Allen, and only Khalil Shakir recorded more than three catches in the win. Seven players received either two or three targets, and it was ultimately too much for the Broncos to handle. 

Buffalo flexed its array of weapons on third and fourth down, when the offense went a combined 10-of-16. The Bills will need more of that going forward. A Ravens defense that played much better later in the season and, if the Bills advance, a Chiefs defense that always shows up prepared in the playoffs would undoubtedly force Allen and the offense into must-have situations. 

Here are the key plays that shifted momentum toward the Bills in Sunday's win.

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Josh Allen highlights vs. Broncos

It was still only a six-point game late in the third quarter when the Bills decided to go for it on fourth-and-1. The Broncos successfully prevented Allen from taking off and running for the first down, but Allen somehow snuck the ball underneath a defender and into the diving arms of Ty Johnson in the back of the end zone. With the way the Bills' offense finished the game, it's no surprise that Brady is a candidate in this year's new coaching cycle. 

Johnson's grab stretched the Bills' lead to two possessions and validated a bold call by Brady to go for it when just a field goal would have been enough to make it a nine-point game.

Allen went downfield for an open Curtis Samuel on third-and-6 to start the fourth quarter, and Samuel did the rest by evading defenders and going all the way to the end zone. The touchdown was one of Brady's finest moments, as it would have been an easy first down even if an open Samuel didn't break away.

Brady and the Bills stayed aggressive in late-down situations even with the lead in hand, as Allen threw downfield for Dalton Kincaid on third-and-4 in the fourth quarter and hit his man for 35 yards.

Replay of the catch showed Kincaid might not have had control of the ball, but Allen deserves credit for getting up to the line and quickly running the next play — which went for eight yards, because that's the kind of the day it was for Buffalo's offense.

It looks like Kincaid is unable to secure this catch without the ball hitting the ground. Bills hurry to the line and snap the ball before the Broncos can challenge the catch. pic.twitter.com/31YrmaBpCM