Josh Allen made Buffalo Bills history Sunday while his team was battling the New England Patriots. His 2-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter gave him 88 career touchdowns from scrimmage. That moved him past two franchise legends.
Allen entered the game tied with Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. Each had scored 87 touchdowns for Buffalo. Allen’s second-quarter score against New England gave him sole possession of the franchise record.
The milestone came during a difficult afternoon for Buffalo. The Bills eventually lost 29-26 to the Patriots. Still, Allen’s record added another major achievement to his growing career with the franchise.
Allen takes over the Bills’ record
Allen’s record-breaking touchdown came with Buffalo facing a 3rd-and-goal situation. The quarterback powered into the end zone from 2 yards out, tying the game at 14-14 late in the second quarter.
The score was Allen’s 88th touchdown from scrimmage as a Bill. He moved ahead of Thomas and Reed, two of the most accomplished offensive players in franchise history. Both are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The achievement also highlighted Allen’s unusual value as a dual-threat quarterback. His total includes both rushing and receiving touchdowns. He has become a major part of Buffalo’s offense since arriving as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The milestone came quickly
Allen had tied Thomas and Reed just one week earlier. His second rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers gave him 87 career touchdowns from scrimmage, putting him level with both franchise legends.
That meant Allen needed only 1 more touchdown to claim the record outright. He did not have to wait long. The Patriots game provided the opportunity, and he converted it with a powerful quarterback sneak near the goal line.
The timing added extra significance. Allen reached the record during a divisional matchup against New England. Buffalo entered the game 3-0, while the Patriots were trying to recover from a 1-2 start.
Allen continues rewriting Buffalo history
The latest record is another milestone in Allen’s Buffalo career. He has already established himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks in franchise history and continues to add new marks each season.
Allen’s rushing production has been particularly unusual for a quarterback. His ability to create touchdowns on the ground has become a major part of Buffalo’s offensive identity and separates him from many traditional pocket passers.
The Bills have also highlighted Allen’s recent rushing production. Against the Chargers, his second rushing touchdown made him the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era with multiple rushing touchdowns in 3 consecutive games.
His record surpassed two legends
Thomas and Reed occupy important places in Buffalo history. Thomas spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Bills. Reed also spent the majority of his career in Buffalo and became one of the league’s premier receivers.
Allen passing both players is significant because their careers helped define an earlier era of Bills football. Thomas was a centerpiece of Buffalo’s offense during the team’s Super Bowl runs, while Reed became a franchise receiving icon.
Allen’s record reflects a different style of production. He combines passing, rushing and occasional receiving contributions. That versatility has allowed him to challenge franchise records traditionally held by running backs and receivers.
The Patriots’ game remained competitive
Allen’s record did not immediately translate into a Buffalo victory. The Bills and Patriots traded momentum throughout the afternoon before New England pulled away late and secured a 29-26 victory.
Allen finished with 23 completions on 33 attempts for 253 yards. He threw 1 touchdown and 1 interception. He also rushed 5 times for 4 yards and 1 touchdown.
His touchdown pass went to Keon Coleman, who finished with 6 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. Coleman’s production gave Buffalo another offensive highlight despite the eventual defeat.
New England spoiled Buffalo’s perfect start
The loss ended Buffalo’s undefeated opening to the 2026 season. The Bills entered Week 4 with a 3-0 record after victories over Houston, Detroit and the Los Angeles Chargers.
New England rallied behind quarterback Drake Maye. He threw 3 touchdown passes, including a late scoring reception by Efton Chism that put the Patriots ahead with 1:50 remaining.
Allen had an opportunity to respond late. Instead, his interception helped end Buffalo’s comeback hopes. Afterward, he acknowledged that throwing the ball away would have been the better decision on the late possession.
Allen’s role remains central to Buffalo
Despite the defeat, Allen remains the central figure in Buffalo’s offense. NFL.com identified him as the driving force behind the Bills entering 2026, with the team’s championship hopes closely connected to his performance.
The Bills also entered the season under new leadership. Joe Brady replaced Sean McDermott as head coach after Buffalo moved on from McDermott in January. Brady agreed to a 5-year contract with the organization.
That transition makes Allen’s leadership even more important. He is now working within a new coaching structure while continuing to carry major expectations. His ability to produce consistently will remain a key storyline throughout the season.
Another milestone adds to Allen’s legacy
Allen’s 88th touchdown will be remembered even though it came in a loss. The record placed his name above Thomas and Reed on Buffalo’s all-time touchdowns-from-scrimmage list, adding another notable chapter to his career.
The Bills now move forward at 3-1. Their next game is against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 12. Allen will have another opportunity to build on his franchise record and help Buffalo recover from its first loss.
Fun fact: The Buffalo Bills selected Josh Allen seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has since developed into one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks while leading Buffalo to multiple playoff appearances.
TL;DR
- Josh Allen set a Buffalo Bills franchise record with his 88th touchdown from scrimmage.
- He passed Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed, who were tied at 87.
- Allen reached the milestone during Buffalo’s 29-26 loss to the Patriots on Oct. 4.
- He finished with 253 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception and 1 rushing touchdown.
- The Bills fell to 3-1 after New England rallied for the victory.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
