Bills' boost on offense couldn't have arrived at better time
Although the Buffalo Bills got a touchdown from recently signed wide receiver Cole Beasley, they are likely feeling better about the prospect of lining him up for fewer snaps on Sunday. In 31 offensive snaps (42%), Beasley had a couple of catches for 35 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Khalil Shakir also played significant time […]
Although the Buffalo Bills got a touchdown from recently signed wide receiver Cole Beasley, they are likely feeling better about the prospect of lining him up for fewer snaps on Sunday.
In 31 offensive snaps (42%), Beasley had a couple of catches for 35 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Khalil Shakir also played significant time in the slot and finished with 51 yards in three grabs on a 41% snap count.
But while both were productive on limited playing time, the Bills are on pace to have Isaiah McKenzie back on the lineup.
McKenzie has been a huge part of the Bills' plans on offense since the start of the season and will likely regain his role after missing the Wild Card game due to a hamstring injury.
McKenzie practiced fully on Wednesday's practice ahead of the Divisional Round.
Against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills will need all hands on deck. If you ask the Bills' slot wide receiver about his availability, he's got good news for you.
McKenzie's return couldn't have come at a better time considering how the Bengals fare against opposing wide receivers. Per Football Outsiders'DVOA metrics, this is how Cincinnati does against opposing receiving cores:
- vs #1 WR – 6th in the NFL
- vs #2 WR – 31st
- vs #3 WR – 24th
- vs TE – 5th
While Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are the guys who will get most of the attention, McKenzie could surprisingly prove to be the Bills' secret weapon on Sunday.
The Bills wide receiver recorded 42 receptions for 423 yards during the regular season, averaging 10.1 yards per catch. It's been a career year for him as he had never been featured in an offense before.
No player missed practice according to the team's injury report and CB Kaiir Elam wasn't listed which is good news for Bills Mafia.
Featured image via Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
