One of the most overlooked factors in the NFL is the contributions of special teams. The unit doesn’t play as much as the offense and defense, but they can be big difference makers that affect an offense or a defense (both good and bad).
In yesterday’s win against the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills had to play complimentary football in the second half if they wanted any shot at making a comeback in a hostile environment. They did just that by outsourcing the Patriots in the second half to win 35-31.
While the focus is going to be on how Buffalo turned it around and made one of the most impressive comebacks in franchise history, fans should also recognize the fact that Buffalo has themselves a star on special teams that no one saw coming once this season started back in September.
Ray Davis has quietly become special teams star for Bills
According to the Buffalo Bills’ PR team, running back Ray Davis returned three kickoffs for 35+ yards, which is tied for the most 35+ yard kickoffs by a Bills player since 1991. What is even more unbelievable is that Davis did the same exact thing in Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ray Davis has returned three kickoffs for 35+ yards today, tying for the most 35+ yard kick returns by a Bill since 1991.
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) December 14, 2025
Also accomplished by:
- Ray Davis (11/16/2025 vs. TB)
- Leodis McKelvin (11/17/2008 vs. CLE)
- Roscoe Parrish (11/20/2005 at SD)
The Bills drafted Davis in the 4th round out of Kentucky in 2024 to be the complementary back to James Cook. While he has shown promise in the backfield, he has found more of a promising role on special teams which has become important to a team’s success.
The better that the special teams does, especially on a kickoff return, the better that Josh Allen and the offense can play and perform to get into the endzone. Lately, it has seemed like Allen has to be the one that is putting the Bills on his back to carry the team to victory so he should take any small help he can.