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With the offseason losses of multiple key players, it may have been overly optimistic to think general manager Brandon Beane wouldn’t make moves to improve the team’s young and patchwork roster.
Recent adjustments have included the acquisition of receiver Amari Cooper from Cleveland, a player who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 211 pounds.
At 30, Cooper brings a wealth of experience, having recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in seven of his past nine seasons.
His arrival is a timely boost for the Bills’ passing game, which has largely relied on less experienced players, as they look to strengthen their position atop the underperforming AFC East following a narrow 23-20 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night.
Beane’s strategy shifted after a significant offseason overhaul.
Importantly, Cooper is under contract for just one more year, allowing the Bills to enhance their offense without compromising future salary cap flexibility after letting go of six of the team’s eight captains, including star receiver Stefon Diggs.
Recognizing the need for another reliable target for quarterback Josh Allen, who has faced challenges with receivers struggling for separation, the Bills have found themselves relying on shorter, less effective passing attempts.
The limitations of their receiving corps were particularly evident during a recent defeat to Houston, where Allen faced pressure late in the game and ended with three straight incompletions, which ultimately set the stage for the crucial game-winning field goal.
The offense continued to face difficulties against the Jets, scoring only three points and earning just seven first downs in the second half.
Allen’s longest completion was a scrambling throw to running back Ray Davis for 42 yards, which highlights the struggles the team has faced.
Other than a standout 263-yard performance in a lopsided win against Jacksonville earlier in the season, Allen has fallen under 250 yards passing five times and failed to reach 200 yards three times.
The Bills have tried to maintain a balanced offensive approach by running the ball more, however, their lack of a deep threat has allowed opponents to stack the line against them.
This was not an issue when Diggs and former player Gabe Davis were on the team, contributing to Allen’s impressive totals of over 4,000 passing yards for four consecutive seasons.
Cooper’s transition from Cleveland should serve him well; his previous season was marred by struggles in chemistry with quarterback Deshaun Watson, leading to frustration and notable drop issues.
After Cooper was acquired, Beane simultaneously kept pace with competition in the division, completing the trade on the same day the Jets bolstered their lineup by bringing in Davante Adams from Las Vegas, an addition that reconnects him with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Notably, rookie running back Davis emerged with a strong performance, rushing for 97 yards and contributing an additional 55 yards receiving in relief of the injured James Cook.
The Bills have shown they can be successful when exceeding 100 yards rushing, boasting a record of 15-3 in such games since the start of the current season.
On the flip side, the passing game needs urgent attention, as it currently ranks 25th in the NFL, averaging only 186 yards per game.
There were standout performances worth noting, particularly from cornerback Taron Johnson, who made eight tackles and clinched the game with a diving interception after missing several weeks due to injury.
However, kicker Tyler Bass struggled during the game, missing an extra point and a 47-yard field goal, bringing his season totals to three missed field goals and two missed extra points.
Injury-wise, there have been no major issues reported, but receiver Khalil Shakir did play through a sore right ankle.
A key statistic this season is that Allen has remarkably not been intercepted, a drastic change from the 18 interceptions he threw last year.
Looking ahead, the Bills will return home after three consecutive away games, gearing up to host Tennessee (1-4) on Sunday.
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