For the third consecutive week, the Buffalo Bills find themselves on the road and they desperately need to find a way to get a win this week. After dropping their last two games, the Bills are looking to get back in the win column against the New York Jets.
The Jets have a new interim head coach in defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who is replacing Robert Saleh who was fired this past week. Ulbrich will be looking to turn things around for the Jets, who are one game behind the Bills in the AFC East standings and have the chance to take control of the division after this week.
As for the Bills, this is a must-win game for them because of what has happened the last two weeks. They haven’t just lost, they have lost in ugly fashion. Dropping three games in a row is not acceptable for a team that is looking to show the NFL that they don’t need a true number one receiver.
With Friday’s injury report, the Bills find themselves at a possible disadvantage once again on offense. After missing last week’s game, wide receiver Khalil Shakir has been inactive in practice this week with an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. Shakir not being on the field last Sunday against the Texans heavily affected Buffalo’s passing attack.
The Buffalo Bills need to hope Khalil Shakir is ready to go in Week 6
Between Mack Hollins, Keon Coleman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Curtis Samuel (who is also dealing with a toe injury), Buffalo’s receiving game looked horrendous last week in Week 5. Just between these four players, there were a combined 18 targets for only 4 catches, and the leading receiver was Coleman for 49 yards.
Now this group will be taking on a Jets defense that has only given up 200+ passing yards once this season. In addition to Shakir being inactive in practice, running back James Cook also has been a non-participant in practice with a toe injury as well.
Josh Allen and the passing game could be in huge trouble if both Shakir and Cook are ruled out this week. Allen already struggles against the Jets at full strength. Now if you take away a go-to target and a versatile running back, this passing game could be a nightmare to watch for Bills fans.