The Buffalo Bills offense is looking to rebound from a clunker against the Baltimore Ravens that saw the team score only 10 points. Josh Allen did not account for a single touchdown, which is starkly different from how the team looked through the first three weeks.
Entering Sunday's matchup against the Houston Texans, Allen is going to be without his top receiver in Khalil Shakir, who has been ruled out while in the concussion protocol. It's a huge blow to their passing attack — even in the "everybody eats" offense, Shakir has separated himself from the pack, having seen 19 targets and catching 18 of them. The next-highest targeted receiver on the team is rookie Keon Coleman with 11.
Shakir has been automatic. He catches everything. Only one target so far this season hasn't gone for a catch, and Shakir broke the NFL record for most consecutive receptions during the Ravens game. Allen and the coaching staff do nothing but gush about Shakir's game, how he conducts himself, and how consistent he is.
This weekend, the Bills have a big test against the Houston Texans and their ability to pour on the points through the air. If the defense isn't able to hold down the Houston passing attack, then Allen is going to have to keep pace without his top option. Allen will be carrying the weight on his shoulders.
Who will step up without Khalil Shakir?
We know tight end Dalton Kincaid is going to be heavily utilized in this offense, like he has been most of the season. It's entirely possible that he has a monster target share, but if the Houston defense clues in on him, someone is going to have to step up.
Coleman will have an opportunity on the outside to potentially see his highest target volume in a game on his young career, but I think the biggest benefactor is going to be Curtis Samuel.
The veteran wide receiver with ties to offensive coordinator Joe Brady from their time together in Carolina hasn't really gotten going through four games after Buffalo gave him a three-year, $24 million contract in free agency. Now is his time to get involved.
Samuel is a shifty veteran that will be the motion man in this offense on Sunday. Expect to see him put in motion early and often with varied looks, especially when you consider Houston's strength is on their defensive fronts. The pre-snap motions were notably missing in last week's game against the Ravens, and I expect to see Brady correct that this week.
This team thrives when it's putting defenses in binds with lateral motion, stretching linebackers to the sidelines. I expect Samuel to be a vacuum hog on Sunday with Shakir on the sideline, and Allen will need him.
Related: Bills' head coach Sean McDermott confirms suspicions about rookie getting first career start against Houston
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp .
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