On paper, there is no question that the Bills have one of the hardest schedules in the league, but I feel like this is the conversation we have every year for the last few seasons. The AFC East is a tough division, boasting three teams with a real shot at the title. Still, the Bills consistently find a way to edge them out and claim the crown. Can they do it again in 2024?
That might be a bigger question heading into the 2024 season than in recent years. Gone are stalwarts Jordan Poyer, Tre'Davious White, and possibly Micah Hyde, but the biggest change came on the offensive side of the ball when the Bills traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Bills fans expected the Bills to draft a receiver, but when the trade went down, the expectation became drafting two receivers.
The latter did not happen to the surprise of many fans, but they did use their first pick of the draft, 33rd overall to select Florida State wide receiver, Keon Coleman. Coleman's already divisive status among fans reached a new level after his underwhelming 40-yard dash performance at the combine. Still, after he was selected, Bills Mafia began to see Coleman's personality come out with multiple videos that went viral and earned the nickname Keon "Cookie" Coleman.
Coleman wouldn't be the first Bills player to carry this nickname. Some of the older generation Bills fans remember running back Cookie Gilchrist, who was one of the best running backs in Bills lore helping the team win the 1964 AFL championship. Maybe the new "Cookie" in town is a sign of things to come for the Buffalo Bills. But before we get there, the Bills have a gauntlet of 17 games to get through, and I have four in my mind that will define Coleman's rookie season.
Week 2: at Miami Dolphins
This will be Keon's first road game in the NFL and against the Bills' biggest division rival. If Buffalo wants to make a statement early, beating the Dolphins in their home would be a great way to do that and a great opportunity for Coleman to showcase his talents. Miami has one defensive back who can match up with Coleman's size, a rookie corner Isaiah Johnson at 6'3", and he is an undrafted free agent. The Bills and Coleman should be able to take advantage of several mismatches, plus the Dolphins' defense took a hit this offseason with a lot of new faces added.
What better way for Coleman to further adhere himself to Bills Mafia than to go out and have a big game against the hated Dolphins? I'm not saying that Coleman needs to go out there and put up ten receptions for 120 yards and a couple of touchdowns, but making some key plays in big moments is what the Bills hope to get from him. Who knows, maybe he goes out and has a Puka Nacua-type impact in year one, but just showing up when his number is called is what we are looking for.
Week 5: at Houston Texans
It would make my day if Coleman had a bigger game that Stefon Diggs and the Bills come out victorious in this game. The Allen versus Diggs chatter will be front and center in this game, but can Coleman steal the show and have a dominant performance? The rational fan isn't expecting Coleman to replace Diggs from a statistical perspective, but if he outplays Diggs this week, it will further define Coleman's rookie season.
In my weekly score predictions article, I have the Bills winning this game in a big way. Buffalo will be fired up and come out ready to make a statement. I also think Allen will feed Coleman just to make a point, and I'm here for it. Aside from the inevitable Coleman versus Diggs that will be part of the talk that week, the Bills need to get a win against the Texans, who will likely be right there in the AFC playoff race. Last season, the Bills didn't own many tiebreakers, so let's hope that's not an issue in 2024.
Week 6: at New York Jets
The Bills' offense has faltered against the Jets lately. This matchup could be a defining moment for Coleman if he can help them break that trend. New York always seems to give Josh Allen fits, and Coleman could provide that spark that the team might need to sustain some drives and get points on the Jets defense, something Buffalo has lacked in years past. Sauce Gardner is the Jets' top corner and one of the best in the league. Could we see him shadow Coleman in this game?
The Jets' defensive game plan will depend on how the Bills and Coleman perform during the season's first month. If Coleman is making plays week in and week out, I can see the Jets having Gardner follow Coleman. If they do that, it could mean a big day for Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir. How great would it be to see Coleman "moss" one over Gardner for six?
Week 11: vs Kansas City Chiefs
I didn't want to pick this game initially, because it seems too obvious of a choice. But then I thought to myself, don't overthink this. Outside of maybe the Dolphins, the Chiefs are the Bills' biggest rival. Buffalo continues to struggle with the Chiefs in the postseason but has won three straight in the regular season, all on the road. Now Buffalo gets the Chiefs in front of their home crowd for a regular season showdown. Buffalo has had some incredible performances from their receivers in recent battles, including Gabe Davis's 200-plus, four-touchdown game and Diggs's ten receptions and 148 yards game.
But both of those guys are out, and despite Khalil Shakir racking up seven receptions last season, he went for only 44 yards in that game. Buffalo will need someone in the passing game to step up. Coleman could be that guy, and if he has an excellent game and the Bills win, he'll capture every Bills fan's heart (those he hasn't already). By the time we get to this game, we'll know more about the Buffalo Bills and Keon Coleman than we know right now, and I can't wait!