Dolphins DC Fangio lauds Allen as 'John Elway on steroids'

While Josh Allen might not be a Pro Bowler this season, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio considers the Buffalo Bills' star quarterback a unique threat ahead of Sunday night's AFC East title decider.

"Allen's just a beast of a guy," said Fangio, per Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "A physical specimen, like John Elway was in the the mid-80s to the mid-90s. This guy is the new John Elway on steroids."

A smiling Fangio quickly clarified that he didn't intend for his comment to be taken literally.

"I don't mean he's taking steroids," he said. "He's just bigger, faster, cannon for an arm, tough. He's a dude."

Allen has accounted for a quarterback-high 42 touchdowns (27 passing, 15 rushing) to put Buffalo in position to steal the AFC East crown away from the 11-5 Dolphins, who've led the division for much of the season but have lost two of their last four. The 10-6 Bills have gone undefeated over that span.

The Buffalo quarterback has struggled with turnovers this season, with only Sam Howell throwing more than Allen's 16 interceptions.

But the veteran still ranks among the NFL's most effective passers, sitting third in QBR, fourth in success rate, and first in sack percentage heading into Week 18. He also has three game-winning drives.

Allen downplayed the severity of his neck injury Wednesday, saying it wouldn't limit him versus Miami, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.