ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have firmly embraced their “everybody eats” philosophy when it comes to their offense this season, and it seems there’s still room at the table for more. Following a dominant 40-14 victory over the New York Jets, rookie Tyrell Shavers notably marked his presence by scoring a touchdown on his very first catch, contributing to the Bills’ impressive roster of players who have found the end zone. This accomplishment places Buffalo among just nine teams in NFL history with 13 players recording a touchdown catch in a single season.

As the team prepares for their season finale against the New England Patriots, they are already secured in the AFC’s second playoff seed with a record of 13-3. Many starters are expected to be rested, prompting players like fullback Reggie Gilliam to express hope for possibly setting a record before the season concludes. All eyes are particularly on Gilliam, who is the only skill position player on the active roster yet to score a touchdown, along with practice squad member Jalen Virgil.

However, there are still opportunities for others to join this elite group. For instance, practice squad running back Frank Gore Jr. and tight end Zach Davidson are both candidates, along with backup offensive tackle Alec Anderson, who often plays as a sixth lineman but is an eligible receiver as well. Anderson shared his enthusiasm for the chance to score, stating that he would make the most of any opportunity presented to him.

Buffalo’s journey to this point has been remarkable, especially considering they’ve adopted a selfless offensive strategy since coordinator Joe Brady introduced the “everybody eats” mantra in May. This approach was born out of necessity, as the team had to adjust after losing top receiver Stefon Diggs to Houston and No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis to free agency. The absence of these players raised concerns about finding adequate replacements, as they accounted for significant portions of quarterback Josh Allen’s completions and yardage last season.

These worries have been put to rest, as the Bills have effectively implemented a more balanced offensive game plan, leading to a season-high total of 509 points and 63 touchdowns. Notably, the team has achieved these impressive stats without any single player exceeding 1,000 yards in receiving or rushing.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who can make plays, and when they get the chance, they take advantage of it,” said rookie receiver Keon Coleman, praising the unselfish nature of his teammates. Currently, four players are tied with four or more touchdown catches, including Mack Hollins, who leads the way with five. Quarterback Allen also appears on the list thanks to a unique play where he scored after a lateral from a pass to Amari Cooper. Remarkably, all players who have caught a pass this season for Buffalo have also scored a touchdown, with only Davidson and former player Marquez Valdes-Scantling missing out.

Receiver Khalil Shakir explained that the essence of “everybody eats” resonates on a deeper level, emphasizing the team’s selflessness and collective commitment to each other’s success. “You could have just 10 yards, but if someone else is putting up big numbers, I’ll block for them,” he said. This unity helps showcase the strength and camaraderie within the team.

This is not the first time the Bills have reached such an impressive milestone; they are the only team to achieve 13 players catching touchdowns in a season twice, with their previous occurrence in 2020. Historical data reveals that most previous teams that reached this feat fared well, as only two of the past eight teams missed the playoffs while five made it to their respective conference championship games.

Brady highlighted the team-first ideology, stating, “We want each other to succeed.” He believes that their offense was structured to discover multiple routes to securing victories. With a standout player like Allen leading the charge, combined with the unselfish nature of his teammates, they are realizing the “everybody eats” mindset effectively.

Shavers celebrated his contributions enthusiastically after scoring a remarkable 69-yard touchdown off a screen pass from backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, drawing praise and excitement from teammates. “It’s a testament to the collective spirit of the team. Everyone is focused on winning,” Shavers noted, pondering who might join him in the record-breaking quest. “It could honestly be anyone.”