Nobody actually expects Josh Allen to catch the ball. Why would they? The guy has a rocket attached to his right shoulder and legs that move like a runaway freight train. You watch the Buffalo Bills because you want to see him launch a 60-yard post route or leap over a 220-pound safety. But every once in a while, the script flips. The quarterback becomes the target.
A Josh Allen receiving touchdown is a rare beast. It’s the "In Case of Emergency, Break Glass" play in Sean McDermott’s back pocket. As of early 2026, Allen has only hauled in two of these in his entire professional career, but each one felt like a glitch in the matrix.
That Bizarre Lateral Against the Niners
If you were watching the Week 13 clash against the San Francisco 49ers in December 2024, you saw something that shouldn't exist in a professional playbook. It wasn't a Philly Special. It wasn't a designed throwback. It was pure, unadulterated chaos.
Basically, Allen fired a pass to wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper got swarmed immediately by three defenders. Instead of taking the tackle, Cooper—showing some serious veteran awareness—spotted Allen trailing the play. He flipped a lateral back to his quarterback.
Allen didn't hesitate. He snatched the ball, turned upfield, and dove for the pylon.
Here is where the stat sheet gets weird. Because Allen threw the initial pass, he was credited with a passing touchdown. Because he caught the lateral and ran it in, he was also credited with a receiving touchdown. He didn't even get a "reception" on the play because laterals don't count as catches in the official NFL box score. One play, two touchdowns, zero catches.
Honestly, it’s the most "Josh Allen" stat line imaginable. It’s messy, it’s high-stakes, and it somehow worked.
The Houston Playoff Special
The first time we saw this happen was way back in January 2020. The Bills were in a Wild Card slugfest against the Houston Texans. John Brown, who used to be a quarterback in high school, took a handoff on a reverse.
The Texans' defense bit hard. Harder than they should have.
Allen slipped out into the flat, completely unaccounted for. Brown lofted a beautiful, soft spiral that Allen caught in stride for a 16-yard score. At that moment, it felt like the Bills were finally turning a corner. Even though they ended up losing that game in overtime, that Josh Allen receiving touchdown became the blueprint for the "anything can happen" era in Buffalo.
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Why Receiving Scores Matter for Allen’s Legacy
We talk about the "Big Three" when it comes to quarterback records: passing, rushing, and wins. But the receiving stats are the secret sauce for Josh Allen's quest for immortality.
By late 2025, Allen became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 300 total touchdowns, hitting the mark in just 127 games. He edged out Patrick Mahomes by a single game. To put that in perspective, he’s doing this while being the youngest to ever reach the milestone, beating Peyton Manning's age record.
Those two receiving scores might seem like small change compared to his 220+ passing touchdowns or his 70+ rushing scores. But in a league where every yard is scrutinized, being a triple-threat at 6'5" and 237 pounds makes him a nightmare to scheme against. Defensive coordinators can't just "spy" him; they have to account for him even when the ball isn't in his hands.
Breaking Down the Numbers (Simply)
If you're looking at the raw data of how Allen scores, it looks something like this:
- Passing: The bread and butter. Over 220 touchdowns through the air.
- Rushing: Historically dominant. He holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season (15, tied with Jalen Hurts).
- Receiving: Two career touchdowns. One from a designed trick play, one from a chaotic "back-and-lateral" sequence.
It's easy to dismiss the receiving part as a gimmick. But it’s not. It’s a psychological weapon. When Joe Brady (the Bills' offensive coordinator) sees a defense over-pursuing, he knows he has a QB who can actually catch. Most quarterbacks look like they're running in sand when they try to play receiver. Allen looks like a tight end.
Misconceptions About the "Philly Special"
People often ask why the Bills don't run more Josh Allen receiving touchdown plays like the Eagles did in the Super Bowl.
The answer is risk.
You’ve got a franchise player worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Putting him out in space to be hit by a charging linebacker while he's looking up at the ball is terrifying for a coaching staff. That’s why you only see it in the playoffs or in high-leverage regular-season games against teams like the 49ers.
The "receiving" threat is often more useful as a decoy. If a defender has to pause for even half a second to see if Allen is leaking out for a pass, that’s half a second where James Cook or Dalton Kincaid is getting open elsewhere.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Team or Bets
If you're looking at player props for an upcoming Bills game, betting on a receiving touchdown is a long shot. It’s a "lotto ticket" bet. However, knowing that Allen can do it changes how you value his "Total Touchdowns" props.
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In 2024 and 2025, Allen led the league in total scores. He’s the ultimate floor-and-ceiling play because he finds ways to get into the end zone that aren't on the standard menu.
What to Watch For Next
The Bills are constantly evolving. With a younger receiving corps, the "Everybody Eats" mentality means the ball is going everywhere. Don't be surprised if we see another designed throw to Allen in a big January game.
To really understand the impact of these plays, keep an eye on these specific triggers during a game:
- Red Zone Personnel: If the Bills bring in an extra offensive lineman but keep Allen under center, watch the wings.
- The Reverse: Any time a wideout like Khalil Shakir takes a handoff moving away from Allen, the "throwback" is on the table.
- The Scramble Chaos: As we saw against the 49ers, Allen is never out of a play. If he passes the ball and the receiver is stuck, he’s going to move toward the ball to help.
The Josh Allen receiving touchdown is a reminder that football is still supposed to be fun. It’s a backyard play executed at the highest level of professional sports. While he’ll likely finish his career with hundreds of passing scores, those rare moments where he’s the one spiking the ball after a catch are what make him a singular talent in NFL history.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to track Josh Allen's march toward the all-time total touchdown record, follow the official NFL Research feed or the Buffalo Bills' PR team on social media. They provide real-time updates when he passes legends like Dan Marino or Aaron Rodgers. Currently, he is on pace to potentially challenge the top five all-time scorers if he maintains this "triple-threat" production through his early 30s.
Next Step for Stats Nerds: Compare Allen's rushing and receiving touchdown rate to other mobile QBs like Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts. You’ll find that while others might have more rushing yards, Allen’s "nose for the endzone" in non-passing situations is statistically unprecedented.