Josh Allen & the Bills look to stay hot against the Chiefs

Rich Gannon completed 34 of 38 passes for 352 yards on a Monday night in Denver in 2002. He threw three touchdowns and no interceptions. At one point, he threw an NFL-record 21 straight completions.

It was about as close to a perfect game as one could aspire to in the NFL.

“We were a pretty good offense that year,” Gannon, who was named MVP after quarterbacking Oakland’s NFL-best passing offense that season, said. “But it’s fun, you know? It’s not always that easy.”

The term “perfect game” – usually reserved for the baseball diamond – made its way into football vernacular in the wake of the Bills’ 47-17 playoff win over the New England Patriots on Saturday. The Bills became the first team in NFL history to go an entire game without punting, kicking a field goal, or committing a turnover. Their only drive that didn’t result in a touchdown ended with a kneel.

Kurt Warner, the Hall of Fame quarterback who once held the NFL record for completion percentage in a single game, went to his “Study Ball” YouTube series to depict just how close Josh Allen had come to a flawless night during his 21-of-25 passing performance.

Former offensive lineman and NFL Network Brian Baldinger (see video below) referred to the Bills’ effort as being “as close to a perfect game as you could play.”

It’s a tough act follow. But Gannon – who followed Allen’s development closely during the past three seasons as an analyst for CBS – believes perfection might not be necessary.

“When they roll into Kansas City this week, it’s not like they have to play perfect,” he said. “You don’t have to say, ‘Well, the only chance they’re gonna beat the Kansas City Chiefs is if Josh Allen throws for 350 and four touchdowns. I don’t think so if you look at their supporting cast.

“I think it takes a clean performance. There’s a difference. … If they go out and have a clean performance, I mean, I don’t care who they’re playing, where they’re playing. They’re going to be tough to beat.”