Healthy Receivers Crucial for Bills’ Success Against Denver
As the Buffalo Bills prepare to face the Denver Broncos, their wide receiver situation has become critical. Following injuries to Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers during the wild-card matchup against the Jaguars, the team is relying on a few key players to step up.
Current Wide Receiver Status
As of now, the Bills have activated Curtis Samuel from injured reserve. Additionally, Mecole Hardman Jr. has been elevated from the practice squad. The current healthy receivers include:
- Khalil Shakir
- Brandin Cooks
- Keon Coleman
- Curtis Samuel
- Mecole Hardman Jr.
Regular Season Performance
Khalil Shakir emerged as the leading receiver for the Bills in the regular season, accumulating 719 yards. He was followed by tight ends Dalton Kincaid with 571 yards and Dawson Knox with 417 yards. Interestingly, the team’s passing game has seen a decline in focus on wide receivers.
Elijah Moore, a former Bills receiver now playing for the Broncos, noted the team’s challenges with health among the wideouts. “They got a lot of guys banged up, but they don’t really throw it to the receivers anyway,” he remarked. This comment highlights the Bills’ struggle to utilize their wide receiver corps effectively.
Target Statistics
Throughout the regular season, the available receivers have recorded a total of 175 targets. Here’s the breakdown:
| Receiver | Targets | Catches |
|---|---|---|
| Khalil Shakir | 95 | 12 |
| Keon Coleman | 59 | 1 (36-yard gain) |
| Brandin Cooks | 11 | 3 |
| Curtis Samuel | 6 | 0 |
| Mecole Hardman Jr. | 1 | 0 |
Total targets account for only 36.5 percent of the 479 passes thrown this season. Notably, last week, these five receivers had only 18 out of 35 total targets. Shakir was particularly effective, catching every ball thrown in his direction.
The Role of Josh Allen
Quarterback Josh Allen remains a pivotal figure amid these receiver challenges. If Shakir attracts significant attention from Denver’s strong defense, other players must be ready to fill the gaps. Whether it’s Brandin Cooks, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, or Mecole Hardman Jr., they all need to perform under pressure this Sunday.
This match against the Broncos will be crucial for the Bills’ success. The health and performance of the remaining receivers will significantly impact their chances of victory.
