Josh Allen Shoulder Injury: 'Funky' - But Bills QB OK for 'AFC East Championship Game' at Dolphins?

Josh Allen Shoulder Injury: 'Funky' - But Buffalo Bills QB OK for 'AFC East Championship Game' at Miami Dolphins?

At some point, the MVP race - as alluring as the debate might be - doesn't matter. And what point is that? 

The point at which your MVP candidate at quarterback opts to exit the game because his shoulder is "feeling a little funky.''

Josh Allen's Buffalo Bills on Sunday NFL Week 17 survived with a 27-21 win over the lowly New England Patriots. And while there is no special badge of honor for doing so - coach Bill Belichick's Pats are 4-12, might be football's worst team and this might be Belichick's last stand - all that matters is the standings.

And somehow, someway, the Bills just launched themselves right back where the defending three-time AFC East champs believe they've always belonged: In to win the AFC East next week with a win over the Miami Dolphins.

Logically, that success happens for the 10-6 Bills against the 11-5 Dolphins if Allen is at his best. Statistically, that wasn't the case here as for the game he finished 15-for-30 for 169 yards passing with an interception while contributing two touchdowns (for a notable 15 on the season) on the ground.

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Allen took a nasty hit on his non-throwing shoulder on the final drive with two minutes remaining. The Bills say that he suffered only a "stinger'' on a 4-yard rush on third down that clinched the victory. But he did exit the field and seek some attention from the the athletic training staff.

"Little stinger,'' he said. "I've never felt one of those before so that's a little funky.''

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Funky'' is not a medical term. But Allen's physical style of play surely allows him to know when his body isn't quite right. So ... will his body be quite right next week in what amounts to an AFC East championship game in Miami next Sunday night?

"We're good to go," Allen promised.