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As he has done so many times, Buffalo Bills MVP quarterback Josh Allen emerged from the pocket on the snowy turf of Highmark Stadium, surveying the field through bursts as defenders bore down on him.
It was a 14-3 game in favor of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, a game the Bills needed to win to keep their AFC East division hopes alive, while maintaining a strong playoff case. So, like Allen does, he finds a way to get the job done despite the circumstances.
Somehow, some way, he noticed his trusty receiver, Khalil Shakir, running around the end zone on fourth-and-4 from the Cincinnati 11-yard line. But anyone in Western New York, and watching at home, wouldn’t have batted an eyelid if Allen hadn’t thrown a pass to the No. 10 jersey that he saw pass through the Bengals’ secondary personnel. Why risk losing the ball?
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Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
But not Allen. With a rifle for an arm and a confidence that always seemed to be greater than the moment itself, he threw a seed to Shakir, hitting him between the numbers for a much-needed Bills touchdown in the second quarter.
Surprised? Shakir is not at this point in his career.
“I think he’s done it so much that I’m used to it,” Shakir smiled as he told Pak Gazette Digital about his fourth touchdown of the season, while highlighting his partnership with Kelley Blue Book.
THE STAR QUARTERBACKS OF THE SUPER BOWL LIX FIGHT AT THE CRUCIAL POINT OF THE 2025 SEASON
Whether it’s his arm, his legs, or preferably both, Allen seems to be making these highlight-reel plays every week for the Bills. After all, winning MVP means going above and beyond, and Allen has been the epitome of that for this franchise since he was a first-round pick in 2018.
Shakir couldn’t be more confident in saying his quarterback is the best player in the NFL, but Allen will even tell you that winning the MVP and a hopeful Super Bowl for his Bills requires everyone doing their part.
Shakir, who signed a four-year extension with the Bills in February, understands his role. Always wait for the ball, even if you have several defenders around you in snowy conditions as you slip and slide on the grass.
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“In those moments of difficult play, be a skill player on the field just to be available for him as much as you can,” Shakir explained. “He’s the best player in the entire league and he has the ability to make these crazy plays literally whenever he wants. Knowing that he trusts us to make those catches, I think it gives him peace of mind to make that type of throw.”
Shakir was a fifth-round pick of the Bills out of Boise State in 2022, and last year saw his best production with 821 yards on 76 catches (100 targets). He proved to be a reliable target for Allen, building that confidence factor after totaling 611 yards on 39 grabs in 2023.
Confidence is the only way plays like that can work on Sunday against the Bengals, and it’s something Shakir takes pride in.
“I had a shallow route and then I tried to run to the sideline and it was blocked, so I started running upfield. Then I looked around and there were all these white jerseys around me and I turned around and the ball was there,” he said of the touchdown.
“The fact that Josh has the ability to put the ball wherever he wants because he’s so good, it’s crazy. So, like I’ve said 1,000 times, it’s an honor to share the field with him. It’s unbelievable.”
Josh Allen and Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills look on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Allen will lean on Shakir and other pass catchers to get the job done in these remaining four games and secure another shot at the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
“Being on the field with him, it’s important that we get to where we need to be, the places we need to be on certain plays because we know the ball is going to be in the money every time,” Shakir said of his quarterback.
SMART MONEY MOVEMENTS
Every professional athlete’s dream is to get that second contract, which usually means a lot of money entering the bank account.
But Shakir knows that keeping wealth is just as important as earning it. He made a fun campaign with Kelley Blue Book, the industry standard for vehicle reviews and ratings, as he highlights that he still drives his 2021 Subaru despite its large footprint.
Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with Josh Allen after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
Shakir is a practical guy, however, and with his wife, Sayler, and new daughter, Sunny Haven, to care for off the field, he doesn’t always need to show off his finances.
“It was something that aligned perfectly because of the way they do their research and how they make informed decisions,” Shakir said when asked about his partnership with Kelley Blue Book. “It’s exactly the lifestyle I like to live and it combines with being financially smart with your money.”
