Trending Up and Down: Key Performers Driving the Bills’ Playoff Push

Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills Quarterback

Trending Up and Down: Key Performers Driving the Bills’ Playoff Push | The Wandering Buffalo

Trending Up ⬆️

Buffalo Bills Offense

We’ve heard all year that “everybody eats,” and this game was no exception. Josh Allen completed passes to nine different receivers, with three different players catching touchdowns. So far this season, the Bills have had 13 different players catch a touchdown, including Josh Allen himself, which only strengthens his case for MVP (he’s currently the odds-on favorite). The narrative is always that you want to get hot at the right time, and the Bills have a record of doing just that. It looks like they’ve done it again this year.

But let’s not forget the Bills’ rushing attack this season. James Cook is just 19 yards away from his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and one touchdown away from tying O.J. Simpson’s single-season franchise record of 16 rushing touchdowns, set back in 1975 (in a 14-game season). Speaking of records, Josh Allen tied Thurman Thomas last week with 65 career rushing touchdowns. Week 18 could shape up to be a historic one for the Bills.

Trending Down ⬇️

Curtis Samuel

I, for one, was a fan of this signing in the offseason. Coming out of Ohio State, he always showed talent, but it seemed like he just never found the right situation. He had one productive year in Carolina with Joe Brady as his offensive coordinator, so having him sign here with Brady again as his OC—and with Josh Allen as his quarterback—gave many of us hope.

Well, it hasn’t worked out. I’ve heard rumors of nagging injuries, and if you look at his numbers, he fits in with the crowd when you account for the injuries. But that’s just the problem—he was supposed to do more than just fit in. Not only has he barely done that, but when you watch the games, you hardly notice him. And when you do, he doesn’t seem to pass the “eye test.”

Maybe he can become an unexpected contributor come playoff time, or maybe Tyrell Shavers is on his heels after his 69-yard screen pass touchdown last week.

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