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The Buffalo Bills‘ offense is, statistically speaking, one of the NFL’s best, and it’s even better when tight end Dalton Kincaid is active.
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After a regular season marred by hamstring and knee injuries, Kincaid appears in line to be fully available for the wild-card playoff road test against the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 11.
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Still managing a knee issue that dates back to training camp, the 2023 first-round draft pick was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice in Orchard Park. Kincaid, who sat out the December 28 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, also practiced on a limited basis last week, leading into his return to the lineup against the New York Jets.
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Still managing a knee issue that dates back to training camp, the 2023 first-round draft pick was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice in Orchard Park. Kincaid, who sat out the December 28 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, also practiced on a limited basis last week, leading into his return to the lineup against the New York Jets.
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MORE: Motivational Josh Allen shows Bills' teammates he's ready for playoffs
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MORE: Motivational Josh Allen shows Bills’ teammates he’s ready for playoffs
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“He hadn't played in a little bit and had been kind of practicing, not practicing. You guys are aware, we talk about that almost every day," said Bills' head coach Sean McDermott. "So I thought it was important that we got him going a little bit, but not too much to where he was too sore to come back and practice."
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“He hadn’t played in a little bit and had been kind of practicing, not practicing. You guys are aware, we talk about that almost every day,” said Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott. “So I thought it was important that we got him going a little bit, but not too much to where he was too sore to come back and practice.”
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Seeing 10 snaps early in the 35-8 victory over the Jets on January 4, Kincaid caught all three of his targets for 48 total yards.
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Seeing 10 snaps early in the 35-8 victory over the Jets on January 4, Kincaid caught all three of his targets for 48 total yards.
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Kincaid's proven impact
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Kincaid’s proven impact
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Three of the Bills' five regular season losses happened with Kincaid sidelined.
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Three of the Bills’ five regular season losses happened with Kincaid sidelined.
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The athletic pass-catcher has proven to open up more options across the board for the offense while providing quarterback Josh Allen with a highly reliable target. Remarkably, all 10 of Allen's interceptions came when Kincaid was not on the field.
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The athletic pass-catcher has proven to open up more options across the board for the offense while providing quarterback Josh Allen with a highly reliable target. Remarkably, all 10 of Allen’s interceptions came when Kincaid was not on the field.
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When targeted, Kincaid accounted for a 149.2 passer rating to lead all NFL tight ends this season (per Next Gen Stats). He secured 39 of 49 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns over 12 appearances.
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When targeted, Kincaid accounted for a 149.2 passer rating to lead all NFL tight ends this season (per Next Gen Stats). He secured 39 of 49 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns over 12 appearances.
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As a team, the Bills averaged 23.0 points per game without Kincaid and 30.5 points per game with the tight end.
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As a team, the Bills averaged 23.0 points per game without Kincaid and 30.5 points per game with the tight end.
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Potential vs. Jaguars
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Potential vs. Jaguars
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While the Bills feature the NFL's top-ranked rushing attack, Jacksonville has defended the run better than anyone. With running back James Cook facing a stiff challenge, Buffalo could look to use its run game personnel in pass-catching roles.
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While the Bills feature the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack, Jacksonville has defended the run better than anyone. With running back James Cook facing a stiff challenge, Buffalo could look to use its run game personnel in pass-catching roles.
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The Jaguars' pass defense has shown to be vulnerable against opposing tight ends, and the Bills have a duo that should be able to exploit that weakness.
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The Jaguars’ pass defense has shown to be vulnerable against opposing tight ends, and the Bills have a duo that should be able to exploit that weakness.
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In addition to Kincaid's 571 yards, Dawson Knox caught 36 passes for 417 yards. It mark the first time ever a pair of Bills' tight ends recorded 400+ receiving yards apiece in the same season.
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In addition to Kincaid’s 571 yards, Dawson Knox caught 36 passes for 417 yards. It mark the first time ever a pair of Bills’ tight ends recorded 400+ receiving yards apiece in the same season.
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RELATED: Bills' WR amongst six non-participants as preparation for Jaguars ramps up
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RELATED: Bills’ WR amongst six non-participants as preparation for Jaguars ramps up
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Both players saw early action in last week's regular season finale, and it was especially beneficial for Kincaid, who had not made a reception since December 14.
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Both players saw early action in last week’s regular season finale, and it was especially beneficial for Kincaid, who had not made a reception since December 14.
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"So just some momentum, some wind at his back a little bit here. I thought that was important for him, and he did a good job," said McDermott.
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“So just some momentum, some wind at his back a little bit here. I thought that was important for him, and he did a good job,” said McDermott.
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The Jaguars are 23rd out of 32 NFL teams in yards allowed (1,004) to opposing tight ends this season.
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The Jaguars are 23rd out of 32 NFL teams in yards allowed (1,004) to opposing tight ends this season.
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