Key Highlights
- Buffalo Bills’ tight end Dalton Kincaid is expected to return for the playoff game against Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Kincaid’s presence significantly boosts the team’s offensive stats, with the Bills scoring 23.0 points per game without him and 30.5 with him active.
- All 10 of quarterback Josh Allen’s interceptions occurred when Kincaid was not on the field.
- Kincaid had a knee injury since training camp but has been practicing limitedly, preparing for his return.
The Importance of Dalton Kincaid in Buffalo Bills’ Offense
When it comes to the Buffalo Bills’ offensive prowess, tight end Dalton Kincaid plays a pivotal role. This was evident during the regular season when Kincaid’s presence on the field made a significant difference for the team. According to Ralph Ventre from On SI, “The Buffalo Bills’ offense is one of the NFL’s best, and it’s even better with Kincaid active.”
Impact on Team Performance
The statistics back up this claim. Three out of the Bills’ five regular season losses occurred when Kincaid was sidelined due to hamstring and knee injuries. His return has proven crucial for both the team’s offensive strategies and quarterback Josh Allen’s performance.
Ventre elaborates, “All 10 of Allen’s interceptions came when Kincaid was not on the field.”
When Kincaid is active, he provides a reliable target for Allen, opening up more options across the board. His impact is reflected in his passer rating and reception numbers: Kincaid secured 39 out of 49 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns over 12 appearances. He also had an impressive 149.2 passer rating, leading all NFL tight ends this season according to Next Gen Stats.
Preparation for Playoff Game
Kincaid has been practicing with limited participation due to a knee injury that dates back to training camp. He missed the December 28 game against the Philadelphia Eagles but managed to participate in limited practices, showing some improvement by January 4 when he played in the regular season finale against the New York Jets.
During this game, Kincaid caught all three of his targets for a total of 48 yards. His return is expected to be timely as the Bills face the Jacksonville Jaguars in their wild-card playoff game on January 11. Ventre notes that while the Jaguars have defended the run better than anyone, they are vulnerable against tight ends, which could provide an opportunity for Kincaid and Dawson Knox to exploit this weakness.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills’ success in the NFL is closely tied to the availability of their star tight end. With Kincaid set to return for the crucial playoff game, the team’s offensive capabilities are poised to reach new heights. The Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott emphasized this point, saying, “He hadn’t played in a little bit and had been kind of practicing, not practicing.
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.”
The upcoming game against the Jaguars will be a critical test for Kincaid’s knee as well as his ability to contribute offensively. His return could be the key factor in determining whether the Bills can advance in their playoff run.