Let’s start my season of analysis with an apology. First off, the Buffalo Bills are on a short week and everything is very compressed. Second, my youngest plays sports and I was lucky enough to be able to see her play on Monday evening (I will choose supporting my kids every time, but it does compress the week further). I’m also on-call for my full time position and they needed my Monday night too. Even worse, I was wholly prepared to highlight D.J. Moore and how awesome he was, but then Dalton Kincaid also had an amazing game. And Khalil Shakir had a steady game too.
So what’s a Skare to do with very little time and so many things to cover? Easy, rip through a few highlights and pretend it’s some kind of deep analysis. What the heck, I think we’re all in a celebratory mood anyway.
Highlights masquerading as analysis
Dalton Kincaid
If you look at the yardage of 130, it’s hard to believe that Dalton Kincaid only had five receptions on six targets. That’s a preposterous 26-yards per reception. A huge part of that is the route tree with Kincaid being asked to run more like a wide receiver. In just the three clips above, Kincaid is lined up in three different spots with some pretty deep routes.
Kincaid delivered on the trust given to him by Joe Brady and Josh Allen. In the first play, expert use of hands leaves Kincaid with space to high point the ball for an incredible catch. On the second one, Kincaid compresses himself to slip by a defender (finesse) then drags some dudes for extra yards like you’d want a tight end to do. On the final play, there’s more of the wiggle to avoid the first tackle, shifts lanes quickly to avoid a second tackle, and is only stopped by the sideline.
This is the tight end Bills fans have been dreaming of for quite some time. Fingers crossed this is the new normal.
D.J. Moore
It’s pretty amazing that D.J. Moore’s stat line of five catches (eight targets) and 100 yards would be in second place for yards per reception after hitting 20 yards per. It’s arguable he had the better day thanks to a long touchdown, but it’s a true argument hence the dual “analysis.”
For D.J. Moore, I’d like to emphasize his capability to protect himself when contact is unavoidable, but also the timing he’s already shown with Josh Allen. Both of the first catches shown have Allen winding up before Moore is even looking and hitting the receiver on his break.
Moore also did an incredible job snatching a frozen rope pass from Allen. I’d add that there was a bit of luck on the touchdown. The defender went for the pass breakup rather than the tackle and it cost them big. I would also add that Moore plays the sideline perfectly and manages to maneuver and make the score.
Week 1 lies in the NFL, but there’s some hope this is the new look offense for the Bills. It was hard to improve on offense but after a single contest it’s looking quite possible.
