Buffalo's Passing Puzzle: Can Backup Receivers Rise to the Occasion?

The Buffalo Bills are in a tight spot. They lost two key receivers, Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers, to serious knee injuries in their last game. Now, they have a big challenge ahead against the Denver Broncos. Only three receivers were healthy when the week started: Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, and Keon Coleman. But they got some help. Curtis Samuel came back from the injured list, and Mecole Hardman Jr. was called up from the practice team. Shakir was the team's top receiver during the regular season. He had 719 yards, which was more than any other receiver. But the next top targets were tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. This shows that the Bills don't rely only on their receivers.Elijah Moore, a former Bills receiver now with the Broncos, made a point. He said the Bills don't throw to their receivers much. He's right. The receivers only got 36. 5% of the passes thrown this season. In their last game, the receivers who will play against Denver caught 18 of 35 passes. Shakir caught all 12 passes thrown his way. But the other receivers, like Cooks and Coleman, didn't get many chances. The Bills' success depends on quarterback Josh Allen. But if the Broncos focus on Shakir, other receivers like Cooks, Coleman, Samuel, or Hardman will have to step up. It's a big ask, but the Bills need them to deliver.