{"id":16573,"date":"2026-01-11T15:05:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=16573"},"modified":"2026-01-11T15:05:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:05:57","slug":"bills-most-important-offensive-player-other-than-josh-allen-not-james-cook-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=16573","title":{"rendered":"Bills’ most important offensive player other than Josh Allen not James Cook this week"},"content":{"rendered":"


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<!–qv q:id=6a q:key=vcaa:The Buffalo Bills<\/a>' offense is, statistically speaking, one of the NFL's best, and it's even better when tight end Dalton Kincaid is active.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

The Buffalo Bills<\/a>‘ offense is, statistically speaking, one of the NFL’s best, and it’s even better when tight end Dalton Kincaid is active.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=6d q:key=vcaa: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<\/a> against the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 11.<\/p>\n

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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<\/a> against the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 11.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=6g q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

Still managing a knee issue<\/a> 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<\/a> against the New York Jets.<\/p>\n

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Still managing a knee issue<\/a> 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<\/a> against the New York Jets.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=6j q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

MORE: <\/strong>Motivational Josh Allen shows Bills' teammates he's ready for playoffs<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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MORE: <\/strong>Motivational Josh Allen shows Bills’ teammates he’s ready for playoffs<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=6m q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

“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."<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

\u201cHe 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.”<\/p>\n

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Jan 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch defended by New York Jets cornerback Samuel Womack III (39) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

<!–qv q:id=6z q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

Seeing 10 snaps early in the 35-8 victory<\/a> over the Jets on January 4, Kincaid caught all three of his targets for 48 total yards.<\/p>\n

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Seeing 10 snaps early in the 35-8 victory<\/a> over the Jets on January 4, Kincaid caught all three of his targets for 48 total yards.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=72 q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

Kincaid's proven impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Kincaid’s proven impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<!–qv q:id=75 q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

Three of the Bills' five regular season losses happened with Kincaid sidelined.<\/p>\n

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Three of the Bills’ five regular season losses happened with Kincaid sidelined.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=78 q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. Remarkably, all 10 of Allen's interceptions came when Kincaid was not on the field.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

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<\/a>. Remarkably, all 10 of Allen’s interceptions came when Kincaid was not on the field.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=7b q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

When targeted, Kincaid accounted for a 149.2 passer rating to lead all NFL tight ends this season (per Next Gen Stats<\/a>). He secured 39 of 49 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns over 12 appearances.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

When targeted, Kincaid accounted for a 149.2 passer rating to lead all NFL tight ends this season (per Next Gen Stats<\/a>). He secured 39 of 49 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns over 12 appearances.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=7e q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

As a team, the Bills averaged 23.0 points per game without Kincaid and 30.5 points per game with the tight end.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

As a team, the Bills averaged 23.0 points per game without Kincaid and 30.5 points per game with the tight end.<\/p>\n

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\"Dalton<\/div>\n

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Jan 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch defended by New York Jets cornerback Samuel Womack III (39) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

<!–qv q:id=7r q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

Potential vs. Jaguars<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Potential vs. Jaguars<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<!–qv q:id=7u q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=7x q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=80 q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

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<\/a> recorded 400+ receiving yards apiece in the same season.<\/p>\n

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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<\/a> recorded 400+ receiving yards apiece in the same season.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=83 q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Bills' WR amongst six non-participants as preparation for Jaguars ramps up<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Bills’ WR amongst six non-participants as preparation for Jaguars ramps up<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=86 q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=89 q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

"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.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=8c q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

The Jaguars are 23rd out of 32 NFL teams in yards allowed (1,004) to opposing tight ends this season.<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

The Jaguars are 23rd out of 32 NFL teams in yards allowed (1,004) to opposing tight ends this season.<\/p>\n

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\"Dalton<\/div>\n

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Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) catches the ball for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

<!–qv q:id=8p q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter<\/strong><\/a> —<\/p>\n

–><\/p>\n

\u2014\u00a0Sign up for OnSI\u2019s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2014<\/p>\n

<!–qv q:id=8s q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n

More Buffalo Bills News<\/strong><\/a>:<\/h2>\n

–><!–qv q:id=8v q:key=vcaa:<\/p>\n