The Buffalo Bills offense is a fantasy football landmine—that is, it is something to be avoided at all costs. Under extreme circumstances, however, fields rife with landmines have to be negotiated, and sometimes, playing players from bad offenses cannot be avoided.
If your roster is lacking at certain positions, whether due to bye weeks, injuries, or poor planning, there are a few fliers that you can take if you’re looking to play a Bills’ player. This week, they play the New York Jets, a team that isn’t among the strongest in the NFL. If ever there were a matchup for some Buffalo players to take advantage of, this one is it.
WR Terrelle Pryor
Buffalo’s newest wideout was a big part of the game plan last week, netting 5 targets only 5 days after signing with the team. He only made 2 catches for 17 yards, and he dropped a pass that led to one of Nathan Peterman’s three interceptions. However, the fact that he was third among Bills receivers in targets, trailing only Kelvin Benjamin (9) and Zay Jones (6), and second among wideouts in snaps with 75, bodes well for his involvement in the offense. Factor in Kelvin Benjamin’s non-participation in Wednesday’s practice due to a knee ailment and Pryor’s prior connection to this week’s opponent, and the possibility of a breakout game exists. To be fair, a breakout for a Buffalo receiver in 2018 may not be much more than a 10-point fantasy day, but as a flex player in a week where four teams are on a bye, that output would be completely acceptable.
WR Zay Jones
I’m on the Zay train. Buffalo’s second-year wideout is having a much better year than his rookie campaign, and while a historically bad passing offense isn’t doing him any favors, he is clearly a trusted target among all three of Buffalo’s quarterbacks. Jones has been targeted 27 times in the last 4 weeks, and he’s made 16 catches over that same span of time. None of those numbers are eye-popping, but he has continued to make strides. If Benjamin is unable to play, Jones should see an even larger chunk of targets in the passing game against a Jets secondary that allows the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Bills D/ST
Josh McCown is expected to start at quarterback this weekend in place of rookie Sam Darnold, who has a sprained foot. The Jets have managed 198 points on the season, scoring 34 points or more three separate times; however, in the team’s other 6 games, they have failed to go over 17 points. The Jets have fumbled 16 times and thrown 14 interceptions while allowing 21 sacks. Buffalo’s defense has a chance to keep the team close this week.