The Buffalo Bills are fully committed to their “everybody eats” offensive philosophy this season, which has already seen 13 players catch touchdown passes. With practice squad call-up Tyrell Shavers scoring on his first career catch during a 40-14 victory over the New York Jets last week, the Bills joined an exclusive group as the ninth team in NFL history to achieve this feat.
As the Bills (13-3) prepare for their season finale against the New England Patriots (3-13) on Sunday, they are looking to extend this record before entering the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 2 seed. Many starters are expected to be rested, but the team remains focused on the possibility of adding to their tally.
“Absolutely, I’ve thought about it,” said fullback Reggie Gilliam after practice on Wednesday. While Gilliam is the only active skill position player without a touchdown catch this season, he and others are eager for opportunities.
Among potential candidates are practice squad players like running back Frank Gore Jr. and tight end Zach Davidson, as well as backup offensive tackle Alec Anderson, who is often utilized as a sixth lineman. “That would be awesome,” Anderson said. “If my opportunity arises, I think I’ll take advantage of it.”
Buffalo’s selfless approach has been a hallmark of their season, particularly since offensive coordinator Joe Brady introduced the “everybody eats” mantra in May. This philosophy emerged as the team faced challenges replacing the production of key players like Stefon Diggs, who was traded to Houston, and Gabe Davis, who left in free agency. Together, they accounted for a significant portion of quarterback Josh Allen’s passing statistics last season.
Despite those early concerns, the Bills have thrived, achieving single-season records of 509 points and 63 touchdowns without a single player surpassing 1,000 yards in receiving or rushing. “Put the ball down and play. We’ve got a lot of guys that can make plays,” said rookie receiver Keon Coleman. “It says a lot about the unselfishness of the guys here.”
Four players have recorded four or more touchdown catches this season, led by Mack Hollins with five. Allen himself is among those who have scored, credited with a touchdown catch after a lateral on a pass to Amari Cooper. Every Bills player who has caught a pass this season has also scored a touchdown, with the exception of Davidson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was released in October.
Receiver Khalil Shakir emphasized the deeper meaning behind “everybody eats.” “You might only have 10 yards this game, but Keon has 100, and I’m going to make sure to block for him,” he said. “When you’ve got a team playing for each other like that, there’s nothing that beats it.”
Buffalo is the only team to have achieved 13 touchdown catches by different players in a season twice, having done so previously in 2020. Of the eight other teams that reached this milestone, only two missed the playoffs, while five advanced to their respective conference championship games, including the 2016 Falcons and the 2019 49ers, both of whom reached the Super Bowl.
“The team is bigger than any one person, and we want everybody to have success,” Brady stated. “We were putting an offense together that could find different ways to win, and when you have the best player in football at quarterback, it all comes together.”
Shavers experienced the camaraderie firsthand when he scored a 69-yard touchdown on a screen pass from backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, leading to an enthusiastic celebration with teammates. “It shows that there are no selfish people on this team. Everybody just wants to win,” Shavers said when asked who might become the 14th player to catch a touchdown pass. “Ain’t no telling. It could be anybody really.”
Related topics
- Can You Play Rugby with No Experience
- Can You Knock the Ball out of Hand in Rugby
- Can You Kick the Ball Anytime in Rugby
