There were not many fans who expected the Buffalo Bills to be where they currently find themselves. They are 5-4, lost three of their last five games and currently find themselves outside of the playoffs.
However, there is still almost half a season left for the Bills to turn their season around and this is something they have shown they can do in the past. Last year, they were 6-3 before winning their final seven games of the season.
If the Bills are going to make a similar run, these are four players that could play a big role in that and appear set up to have a big second half of the season.
4 Buffalo Bills who are set for a strong second half of the season
Linval Joseph
The Buffalo Bills signed Linval Joseph as a free agent last Wednesday and he would not only play on Sunday but be a key part of the defense. He finished the game playing 43% of the defensive snaps and had two tackles.
The Bills have been missing a player like Joseph since DaQuan Jones suffered a torn pec in Week 5 and is now set to miss the remainder of the season. The role Linval Joseph plays won't rack up the stats but he will make all the players around him better by clogging up lanes and keeping blockers engaged.
It was remarkable for him to have the game he did against the Bengals and he should only get better as he gets more familiar with the defense and the players around him.
Rasul Douglas
Linval Joseph wasn't the only player the Buffalo Bills added last week as they also ended up trading for cornerback Rasul Douglas. The former Packers defensive back also played a bigger role than maybe expected as he was on the field for 60% of the snaps against the Bengals.
Douglas would finish the game with two tackles and one pass defended. Similar to Joseph, he should only get better as the season goes along and he gets more familiar with Sean McDermott's scheme.
One of the areas that Rasul Douglas can really help this defense is forcing turnovers. He has had nine interceptions in total between 2021 and 2022 while also adding one this year with Green Bay.
In the first four games of this season, the Bills had eight interceptions but have now had five straight games without a pick. By adding Douglas, this defense should be able to turn that around quickly and help the offense with some short fields off turnovers.
Dalton Kincaid
While the Buffalo Bills offense has plenty of problems over the past few weeks, one of those has not been rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid. It took a few weeks for the Bills' first round pick to make an impact but over the past three weeks, he has arguably been the third biggest part of the offense behind Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.
The breakout began against the Patriots when he had eight receptions for 75 yards followed by five receptions for 65 yards and his first career touchdown against the Bucs. In Week 9 against the Bengals, Kincaid was heavily involved and set career highs in targets (11), receptions (10), and receiving yards (81).
It wasn't all perfect as Kincaid did have a fumble late in the game but that seems to be the exception instead of the rule for the young tight end. Even when Dawson Knox returns from injured reserve, Kincaid should remain heavily involved and is going to remain a huge part of this offense.
Khalil Shakir
Dalton Kincaid isn't the only player on the offense that has played well over the past few weeks. Second-year wide receiver Khalil Shakir has emerged as the starting slot receiver and made the most of his opportunities.
In the past three games, Shakir has had 14 targets and has caught all 14 of them and has 184 receiving yards during this period. In the past two weeks, he has played 40 or more offensive snaps which is significantly higher from what he was getting earlier in the season. Prior to Week 8, the most snaps Shakir had in a game was only 24.
The loss of Dawson Knox has seemingly forced Ken Dorsey to play more three wide receiver sets instead of two tight end sets, which he did earlier in the season. At times, the Bills offense has looked much better in this formation and Josh Allen has appeared more comfortable.
Khalil Shakir has continued to make plays when he has gotten opportunities and there is no reason he can't continue this strong play over the remainder of the season.