4 Bills players that will breakout in Week 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 1 of the 2024 season is here, and so is Buffalo Bills football. The Bills are facing the Arizona Cardinals on September 8th at 1:00 pm EST in Highmark Stadium. There are some key matchups that could be beneficial for the Buffalo Bills, mainly on the offensive side against the Cardinals defense. Here are the 4 players that are primed for a breakout game against the Cardinals.

James Cook

It's no secret that James Cook is a great weapon in this Bills offense. The first 1,000+ yard season by a Buffalo Bills running back since LeSean McCoy was achieved last year by Cook. Cook's season couldn't have been unlocked had it not been for the offensive coordinator change to interim coordinator Joe Brady. Brady is now the full time offensive coordinator.

Brady utilized the run game in the second half of the 2023 season to perfection. Now, with a full off-season with Joe Brady, and a Cardinals team that was very bad against the run, Cook can dominate both on the ground and catching out of the backfield. Not only is the run defense for the Cardinals not great, but their linebacker core is a big weakness as well, which could lead to some good yardage for Cook receiving.

Ray Davis

As mentioned prior, the Cardinals were bad in 2023 at stopping the run, which is why Ray Davis is also on this list with Cook. Davis is a complimentary piece to Cook, by being the running back that can take more carries in between the tackles. Davis showed out in the pre-season against the Steelers, and because of that, he did not take a snap with the second and third stringers in the last pre-season game against the Panthers. Not only is Davis a great runner through the line, he also can catch out of the backfield like Cook.

That can create a lot of mismatches at the second level of the Cardinals defense. With this, Davis could have a really great game. Having two plus players at the running back position against this Cardinals defense can definitely benefit Davis, along with Cook as a great one-two punch.

Khalil Shakir

Khalil Shakir is the only wide receiver that has caught a pass from Josh Allen in 2023 going into the 2024 season. Shakir was a great safety blanket down the stretch for Allen in the last half of the 2023 season. With a second straight off-season working with former Buffalo Bill wide receiver Eric Moulds, Shakir looks poised to be the top two option in this passing game.

As mentioned earlier, the linebacker core for the Cardinals are below average. This could lead to a lot of plays across the middle of the field that Shakir could exploit and get open. It wouldn't be shocking if Shakir threatens for near 80+ receiving yards and possibly a touchdown or two in this game.

Dalton Kincaid

Going into year two, Kincaid looks to be taking a massive leap. Along with Shakir, Kincaid could be one of the leaders for targets this year. In fact, Kincaid could (and probably should) lead all pass catchers in targets. He is a special player, and could be a top five tight end in this league by the end of 2024.

This game against the Cardinals could be a coming out party to the league for Kincaid. Most Bills fans know how special Kincaid can and will be, but most other fans of other teams are not as high on Kincaid. Especially with how good Sam LaPorta was with the Detroit Lions, who was in the same draft class last year with Kincaid. Kincaid has a great chance at showing what he can and should do in this league, starting with the Cardinals.

The reasons that Shakir could have a breakout game are the same reasons Kincaid can have one as well. Especially given the fact that Kincaid is a bigger matchup nightmare against the linebackers of the Cardinals. Not just because the Cardinals seem to have a problem with tight ends, but because, well, Kincaid is bigger physically than Shakir. Kincaid could definitely push for close to 90+ yards this game.