Amari Cooper was a hot topic leading up to the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, a game the Bills ultimately controlled with a 34-10 victory despite a sluggish start. Fans were eager to see Cooper play, especially since he had just been traded from the Cleveland Browns five days earlier, though it was unclear how much he would contribute. He played 19 snaps, making a significant impact with four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. Early in the second half, Cooper scored a touchdown, energizing the rest of the offense.
While Bills Mafia would love to see more of Cooper during games, quarterback Josh Allen emphasized a different approach. He highlighted the team’s “everyone eats” philosophy, stating after the win that adding a player of Cooper’s caliber wouldn’t change their tactics of spreading the ball around.
“That’s our mindset, ‘everybody eats,’” Allen shared with reporters. “Acquiring someone like him doesn’t mean we’ll force him the ball. Each player will perform their role, and on any given week, some may need to step up more than others.”
Allen acknowledged Cooper’s role in this offensive strategy, asserting that he would get his share of targets, while also expressing confidence in the team’s other receivers.
“When you have a player like him, he draws extra attention, and if that happens, we’ll throw to him,” Allen explained. “Our guys did well getting open and making plays. I know Khalil [Shakir] is still recovering but he played hard. Keon had over 100 yards for the first time in his career, which was great to see.”
Together, Cooper, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Dalton Kincaid accounted for the vast majority of the team’s receiving yards on Sunday. This distribution is likely to continue, as they are undoubtedly Buffalo’s most skilled receivers, creating uncertainty for defenses. The Bills also effectively integrated other players like Ray Davis, James Cook, and Ty Johnson, all of whom scored touchdowns against the Titans. This approach allows additional players to contribute, but fundamentally, the offense should focus on its four main talents.
