Is Keon Coleman playing vs. Jets?
The Buffalo Bills have relied heavily on their running game throughout this season, but with James Cook injured and not playing against the New York Jets on Monday night, many expected a shift in their game plan. This situation put extra pressure on the Bills’ receivers like Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman, who needed to step up and fill the gap left by Cook’s absence.
Last week, Buffalo almost managed to win against the Texans despite Josh Allen completing only nine passes. Now, with Cook out, the focus was on how the team’s other pass-catchers would perform. Kincaid and Shakir were able to get involved before halftime, along with Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel. However, Coleman was noticeably missing from the stats sheet, which raised some eyebrows.
What’s Up with Keon Coleman?
Coleman was indeed healthy and active for the game but shockingly did not catch a single pass or even get targeted in the first half. Allen had a slow start, only managing to complete one pass during the Bills’ first offensive drive. This was a strategic choice, as Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady decided to stick with the running game since it was working well against the Jets’ defense, even without Cook.
As the first half progressed, Allen began throwing more, finishing with nine completions by halftime. Unfortunately, Coleman was not one of the players he connected with. Although Coleman was on the field for a good number of snaps, Allen just didn’t seem to look his way like he usually does.
Bills’ WR Snap Count at Halftime
Here’s how the snap count for the Bills’ wide receivers looked at halftime:
- Mack Hollins: 29 snaps
- Keon Coleman: 23 snaps
- Khalil Shakir: 13 snaps
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 11 snaps
- Curtis Samuel: 11 snaps
Out of a total of 36 offensive plays, Coleman’s number of snaps was decent, but he remained quiet on the stat sheet.
Coleman’s Season So Far
Coleman is known to be a talented receiver, but he hasn’t been utilized consistently this season. In previous wins against the Dolphins and Jaguars, he was only targeted twice. However, he did see more action in losses to the Ravens and Texans, catching one impressive 49-yard touchdown last week.
As for his performance against the Jets, Coleman’s first-half stat line was troubling for those banking on him for fantasy points. If he goes another game without a catch, it would mark his second such game of the season. Currently, he averages less than two catches per game, which is disappointing for fantasy owners, especially those hoping for a standout performance in daily fantasy contests.
With the Bills giving up a Hail Mary touchdown at the end of the first half, fans and fantasy managers alike were hopeful that Buffalo would need to throw the ball more in the second half to maintain their lead. This might finally give Coleman the opportunity to make a mark on the game.
