Bills' receiving core must be biggest x-factor for Buffalo vs. 49ers

Despite losing Gabe Davis and trading away Stefon Diggs this past offseason, the Buffalo Bills have been doing just fine without their services. While there have been struggles at times, the “everybody eats” mentality has been working and we still have yet to see a month’s production from Amari Cooper.

Even though Buffalo has only had one game of 300+ passing yards, it doesn’t seem to be a big deal because they keep on winning. However, the Bills may need to lean more on the pass in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Josh Allen’s go-to guy this year has been wideout Khalil Shakir, who leads the Bills with 599 yards and 56 receptions. He has become “Mr. Reliable” for this passing attack with 26 first downs and the next closest to him being Dalton Kincaid with 18 first downs.

The Bills have been affected with injuries at wide receiver the last month or so. Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman both suffered wrist injuries that have kept them out of action. Cooper missed part of Week 8, and then the following two weeks. Coleman suffered a wrist injury in Week 9 against Miami and has missed the last two games.

Cooper made his return last Sunday against the Chiefs, but Coleman was ruled out in hopes of him getting ready for this week against the 49ers. In addition to them two, Dalton Kincaid suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the Chiefs game. It’s safe to say that the injury bug hit the Bills hard, but they are still winning.

Bills’ receiving core must step up big time vs. 49ers

The defense for the 49ers has been decent against the pass this season. They’ve only allowed 200+ passing yards three times and have only allowed 152 yards on average through the air the last three games since their bye week. Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady will have to be creative going up against this San Fran defense.

The Bills will have to rely more on the passing attack due to the fact that the 49ers have had success stopping the run for the most part. They’ve only allowed 100+ rushing yards in five games and have allowed no more than 75 yards on the ground in four games.

Buffalo’s wide receiver core will have to find ways to get separation and get an extra step ahead on defenders. Josh Allen can be Superman, but this defense can cause havoc at any moment so the receiving core will have to step up and become the x-factor for this offense.

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