Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman bounced back from his midseason benching to catch a touchdown pass in his first game.
Now, the second-year wide receiver could be in line for an even bigger performance against one of the league’s shakiest defenses.
NFL Films’ Greg Cosell explained that Coleman has a very favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the Bills the potential to open a long-dormant aspect of their passing game. Coleman has returned to the lineup after spending two games on the bench, with the Bills hoping he can return to his prior form at a critical time.
Bills Could Test Bengals Deep
Cosell explained that the Bengals have not been able to establish much of a pass rush this season, giving the Bills an opportunity to test their secondary deep. The Bills have lacked a true deep-threat receiver this season, but Sunday’s game against the Bengals could be the right opportunity to try it.
“Obviously, they’re going to try to run the ball. I’m not saying they’re going to come out and by choice drop back 45 times,” Cosell said. “The pass rush of the Bengals, which has really not been a factor much at all, which has been kind of a flawed weakness in their defense. It will be interesting to see if they feel they can take advantage of that.”
“You would love to see maybe a shot play here or there,” Cosell added. “Or the ball just be thrown a couple of times 20-plus yards and see if you can get a few explosives.”
SI.com writer Alex Brasky believes Coleman could be the recipient, noting that he has been the team’s only downfield target this season.
“Per Next Gen Stats, Keon Coleman’s 24.3% share of the Bills’ air yards this season is nearly 11% more than the Joshua Palmer (13.8%), who along with Dalton Kincaid (13.0%) and Khalil Shakir (10.9%) are the Bills’ only other receivers to have accounted for an air yards share of at least 10% this season,” Brasky wrote.
Coleman had been benched for the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he missed a team meeting, and remained a healthy scratch for their game against the Houston Texans four days later. He returned to the field for last week’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching a 1-yard touchdown.
Bills Need Win to Keep Pace
The Bills head into Sunday’s game holding onto the final playoff spot in the AFC, but have a chance to make a move with a win. The Athletic’s playoff simulator gives the Bills a 92% chance of reaching the postseason going into Sunday’s game, and a win would send them to 97% — while a loss would drop them down to 79%.
The Bills also need a win to keep their slim hopes of winning the division alive. The Patriots are three wins ahead of Buffalo but in their bye week, giving the Bills a chance to make up a half game.
The Bills and Patriots face off next week, and the Bills need a win to keep their division hopes alive going into the final weeks of the season.
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