Bills may have sparked Keon Coleman’s turnaround at the perfect time

The Buffalo Bills got surprising performances from unexpected players in their Week 13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s hard to top Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark on the offensive line, but Keon Coleman made a go of it by finding the endzone for the first time in three weeks.

Coleman had been benched in previous weeks for behavioral issues, but he returned to the lineup on Sunday in a limited capacity, catching two passes for nine yards and a score.

Certainly, Coleman hasn’t made a complete comeback. He played just 45% of the offensive snaps in Pittsburgh. But heading down the stretch, it’s a promising sign for him to contribute positively after a turbulent November.

After the game, quarterback Josh Allen talked about Coleman’s return to the lineup.

“We’re going to need him,” Allen said. “We’re going to need his ability. He’s a very talented football player. He’s made some real crucial plays for us this season and we’re going to need that going forward.”

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman showed the first signs of a needed late-season turnaround

Buffalo didn’t get much out of the passing game in a cold, windy environment as Allen finished with just 123 yards passing. Missing both offensive tackles and Dalton Kincaid played a role, but the inconsistencies at wide receiver on the whole aren’t lost on Bills fans. James Cook was the leading receiver in the contest with three catches for 33 yards, while Coleman was the only wide receiver with more than one reception.

With a bit more cushion in the AFC playoff race, the Bills are still searching for more consistency at the position. The hope from Week 1, when Coleman had eight catches for 112 yards against the Baltimore Ravens, is that the second-year wideout would provide it this season. Obviously, that hasn't exactly been the case, but Week 13 could be the turning point he and the Bills offense needs at this point in the campaign.

READ MORE: 7 winners (and 2 losers) in Bills statement Week 13 win vs. Steelers

There isn’t much room to believe Coleman has completely turned the corner just yet, but Sunday is as good a start at pointing his trajectory in the right direction. And Allen is right, the Bills need Coleman to contribute as the regular season winds down and the postseason comes into focus.

Hopefully, Coleman’s touchdown is a positive sign of things to come for the 2024 second-round pick. Next week, Buffalo takes on the league’s worst passing defense in the Cincinnati Bengals, so Coleman and the Buffalo wideouts will have a real chance to get on the same page with their quarterback.