Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen One Rushing Touchdown Away from Historic QB Milestone

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen stands on the precipice of NFL history, needing just one rushing touchdown to claim the outright record for the most career rushing scores by a quarterback. Following his exceptional performance in Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Allen now has 75 career rushing touchdowns, tying him with former Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots signal-caller Cam Newton. The stage is set for a potentially historic moment as the Bills prepare to face the Houston Texans in Week 12.

Allen’s latest surge toward the record books came during the Bills’ 44-32 victory over the Buccaneers on November 17, 2025. In a dominant display of dual-threat capability, the dynamic quarterback recorded a season-high three rushing touchdowns, complementing an additional three passing touchdowns. This extraordinary six-touchdown performance marked only the third instance in NFL history, including the postseason, where a quarterback achieved such a stat line. Remarkably, Allen himself accounts for two of these occurrences, having previously accomplished the feat in a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last year. The only other quarterback to reach this rare milestone was NFL legend Otto Graham, who did so in 1954 during his illustrious career with the Cleveland Browns. Graham, a four-time AAFC champion and three-time NFL champion, set a standard for dual-threat play in an era far removed from the modern game, underscoring the timeless nature of Allen’s achievement.

Cam Newton, whom Allen now shares the record with, established his mark over an impressive 11-season career, primarily with the Panthers. Drafted first overall in 2011, Newton revolutionized the quarterback position with his unparalleled blend of size, speed, and power, earning the NFL MVP award in 2015 while leading the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. His ability to convert short-yardage situations and score from the goal line became a hallmark of his game, setting a high bar for rushing quarterbacks. For Allen, a player often compared to Newton for his physical running style and ability to break tackles, tying this record in only his eighth professional season highlights an accelerated trajectory of impact.

Since being drafted seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Allen has consistently evolved, transforming from a raw, high-potential prospect into one of the league’s most formidable and unique weapons. His 6-foot-5, 237-pound frame, combined with deceptive agility and a relentless competitive drive, makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses in the open field and near the goal line. While his passing prowess has developed to elite levels, his willingness and ability to run for crucial yardage and touchdowns have remained a cornerstone of the Bills’ offensive identity. This dual-threat capability not only provides a vital safety valve but also dictates defensive schemes, opening up opportunities for both his arm and his legs.

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The Bills’ offense, under Allen’s leadership, often leverages his running ability in critical situations, particularly in the red zone. This strategic deployment has been a significant factor in his rapid accumulation of rushing touchdowns. Opposing defenses must account for Allen as a legitimate running threat on every down, forcing them to commit extra defenders to contain him, which can create passing lanes or allow other offensive players to thrive.

As Allen prepares to potentially break the record, his Week 12 opponent, the Houston Texans, presents a formidable challenge. The Texans’ defense has proven to be particularly stingy against opposing quarterbacks on the ground this season, standing as one of only three teams in the league that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown to a quarterback. The Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts are the other two, indicating a trend among strong defensive units to contain mobile signal-callers. Houston’s defensive front, known for its disciplined gap assignments and strong pass rush, will undoubtedly prioritize containing Allen’s rushing lanes. Despite this defensive strength, sports betting markets reflect confidence in Allen’s ability to score, with odds set at -120 for him to cross the goal line on Thursday night. These odds suggest a higher than 50% implied probability that Allen will indeed find the end zone.

The question of whether Allen will achieve the record against the Texans has become a focal point for analysts and fans alike. ESPN’s betting analysts weighed in with their predictions.

Matt Bowen, an analyst known for his insights into offensive and defensive schemes, predicted Allen would break the record in Week 12. Bowen highlighted Allen’s increased rushing usage in the low red zone, noting that the quarterback has recorded five goal-to-go carries over his last three games. He anticipates this trend to continue, with the Bills deploying designed run concepts for Allen in scoring positions against the Texans. This strategic approach underlines the Bills’ commitment to utilizing Allen’s legs when opportunities arise, especially in high-leverage situations.

Fellow analyst Eric Karabell echoed this sentiment, confidently stating that Allen would score. Karabell acknowledged the Texans’ strong defensive unit but asserted that Allen’s unique skillset makes him "undefendable at the goal line," suggesting that even elite defenses struggle to contain his powerful running style in tight spaces.

Pamela Maldonado concurred with the prediction, emphasizing Allen’s tendency to take matters into his own hands when passing lanes are congested near the goal line. She noted that "When Houston locks down the pass near the goal line, Allen is usually a run-it-in-himself kind of guy," pointing to his innate ability to convert critical rushing opportunities. This speaks to Allen’s improvisation skills and his understanding of when to tuck the ball and run.

Seth Walder provided a more nuanced perspective, agreeing that Allen would break the record but also linking it to the strategic importance of the game for the Bills. Walder noted that Allen is "always a threat to score," but suggested he might need to rely on his scrambling ability more than usual due to the Texans’ "elite pass rush that could get after him in a hurry." Furthermore, Walder underscored the Bills’ current playoff aspirations, stating that it’s "high-leverage season for the Bills," who still maintain a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC if they can embark on a winning streak. In this context, the Bills need "every lever available to get a win," including relying heavily on Allen’s legs, making a goal-line scramble or designed run a high-probability outcome.

The Buffalo Bills currently find themselves in a critical juncture of their 2025 season. Despite Allen’s individual brilliance, the team’s overall record and standing in the AFC playoff picture necessitate strong performances in their remaining games. A potential No. 1 seed would grant them home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, a significant benefit for a team playing in Buffalo’s often harsh winter conditions. Securing a victory against the Texans, and potentially witnessing Allen break the record, would provide a substantial morale boost and critical momentum.

Following their Week 12 encounter with the Texans, the Bills face a challenging schedule that includes matchups against several playoff contenders and division rivals. Their remaining opponents are: away against the Pittsburgh Steelers, home against the Cincinnati Bengals, away against the New England Patriots, away against the Cleveland Browns, home against the Philadelphia Eagles, and finally, home against the New York Jets. This demanding stretch will test the Bills’ resilience and Allen’s leadership, with each game carrying significant implications for their postseason hopes. The need for Allen’s dual-threat play, including his rushing prowess, will likely remain a constant theme as Buffalo navigates this crucial period.