'It Takes Everyone!' Sean McDermott Reveals Bills Plan to Replace Injured Gabe Davis
The Buffalo Bills managed to win Week 18’s regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, largely without the services of receiver Gabe Davis. The big-play threat injured his knee early on Sunday night, leaving Buffalo without a starting boundary receiver.
Davis didn't practice on Wednesday, leaving his status up in the air for Sunday's Wild Card matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium.
With the help of some lucky bounces, a punt return touchdown, and the brute force of quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills put up three scores in a 21-14 win. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to bring another AFC East title – and a home playoff game – back home to Buffalo.
The Bills’ leading receiver in Miami was Khalil Shakir, who caught all six of his targets for 105 yards. Stefon Diggs’ seven catches for 87 yards were a step up from his last month of action. It was an all-hands-on-deck effort, and one the Bills may once again lean on.
Khalil Shakir
© Sam Navarro, USA TODAY
Before Wednesday’s practice, head coach Sean McDermott spoke about Buffalo’s resiliency and how it must continue deeper into January.
“You saw that this past weekend, we’ve got to move forward – and we are. We’re gonna need it again,” McDermott said. “It takes everyone. You never know when your number is going to be called, as it was for Baylon [Spector], Vandy [Ryan Van Demark], Trent [Sherfield] … So you’ve got to be ready when your number is called. And that goes back to what happens today and the week as we go into Sunday.”
Buffalo’s early season inconsistencies led to games where targets became concentrated, with only three or four players seeing multiple targets. That wasn’t the case against the Dolphins. Six Bills saw two or more targets, including unsung heroes like Sherfield and tight end Dawson Knox’s touchdowns.
The development of Shakir has been notable as well. It seems every catch is an important one, moving the chains or putting points on the board. He’s been their leading receiver since Week 8 and has quickly cemented himself in Buffalo’s long-term plans.
Elsewhere, Sherfield’s attention to detail – tracking a deflected pass and getting his feet in bounds – is the brand of football that could be the difference in the playoffs. Fluky plays are bound to happen, but Sherfield was a reliable target despite modest numbers.
If Davis does miss time, it likely won’t be Diggs who absorbs the targets, but the cast of role players that replaced him a week ago.
Against a Steelers defense allowing fewer than 15 points per game over their last three contests, this one could be closer than the perceived talent levels may suggest. Once again, it will be on everyone to secure another Buffalo home game.
