Bill Belichick showers Bills quarterback Josh Allen with praise

Prior to last year’s Monday Night Football game against the Bills, Bill Belichick reportedly told the broadcasters during their pre-game chat that he wasn’t the biggest member of the Josh Allen fan club.

Brian Griese, one of ESPN’s MNF analysts, relayed during the broadcast that Belichick “didn’t buy into the Josh Allen craze.”

Allen, of course, preceded to rub out Belichick’s team 38-9, throwing four touchdown passes in the process.

Now, a week before this season’s Monday night showdown, Belichick pumped up the Bills quarterback, singing his praises.

During his appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” Belichick was highly complimentary of Allen.

Asked what makes Allen tough to defend, Belichick answered: “Pretty much everything.”

He didn’t stop there.

“He can throw it, he can extend plays,” said Belichick, “his experience level has made him a really smart quarterback, doing a lot of the little things, like things with the cadence, audibling, seeing blitzes, anticipating them and sliding the protection over to pick them up, things like that.”

While the Patriots did have some success containing Allen in the first meeting, he absolutely torched Belichick’s team during that Monday night meeting in Foxboro.

Along with the four TD passes, Allen went 27 for 36 for 320 yards during the rout.

While Belichick last year didn’t seem to buy into Allen being an MVP candidate, he made sure to heap the praise this time around, calling him one of the best in the league.

“He’s a smart player, he’s tough, he’s physical. He’s got a great arm. Hard to tackle. Make all the throws,” Belichick told WEEI. “He’s got good leadership, and toughness out there. He’s one of the top quarterbacks in the league.”

Allen isn’t having quite as good a year this year as last, but remains one of the best statistically in a number of categories.

He’s tied for third in touchdowns (25), sixth in yards (3,071) and 10th in quarterback rating (99.1). On the downside, he’s also tied for fourth in interceptions (10).

Belichick was later asked about his experience with the “Bills Mafia,” and fandom, and whether he was liked in Buffalo.

“No, they definitely don’t like me.”

The Patriots, who are 8-4, are set to face the 7-4 Bills in a key AFC East division showdown that will also have implications toward the AFC’s top seed.

During his video session with the media later in the day, Belichick talked about the challenge ahead.

“Division games on the road are always challenging. We look forward to every game, home or away, neutral site, wherever they are,” said Belichick. “We’ll be ready to go.

“Buffalo’s a great team. Sean’s done a great job with his team,” he added with respect to Bills head coach Sean McDermott.  “We have a lot of respect for Buffalo and what they’ve accomplished, what they are, how they play. We’re going to have to play our best game. We know that, and that’s what we’re going to prepare to do.”