Buffalo Bills: 3 questions for the bye week

#2 – Can the passing attack survive without Charles Clay?

Charles Clay and LeSean McCoy were the only two players making this offense move in the first five weeks of the season. Charles Clay has had surgery on his knee and will miss multiple weeks. The bye week comes at the perfect time to give the Buffalo Bills one less week without their top pass-catcher.

Here are the statistics of the top four Buffalo Bills pass-catchers, per ESPN:

1. Charles Clay – 20 receptions / 28 targets / 258 yards / 2 touchdowns
2. LeSean McCoy – 27 receptions / 32 targets / 189 yards / 0 touchdowns
3. Jordan Matthews 10 receptions / 13 targets / 162 yards / 1 touchdown
4. Nick O’Leary 7 receptions / 9 targets / 107 yards / 0 touchdowns

It is never a positive sign when only one of your top four most effective pass-catchers is a true wide receiver.

As you can see, the offense will be missing their best offensive deep threat, and also their top red-area target. It is very possible that Nick O’Leary steps up and performs in Charles Clay’s absence, but you cant replace a guy like Clay.

The loss of Charles Clay will only make this offense more stagnant. It will be interesting to see how they adjust, or if they just take a “next man up” approach.