Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis (13) celebrates a play in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
Since he joined the Buffalo Bills as a rookie in 2020, wide receiver Gabriel Davis has been special. The former fourth-round pick has developed into the perfect receiver opposite superstar teammate, Stefon Diggs. The Bills own one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses headlined by Josh Allen, Diggs and Davis. Heading back to last season, the offense just seems to be missing some juice when Davis isn’t out there or playing one hundred percent. Unfortunately, Davis had been playing with an ankle injury since week two and it was clearly affecting his game, and the entire offense. With him healthy again, the explosiveness of the Bills was once again on display this last Sunday versus the Steelers.
Davis and quarterback Josh Allen connected for an electric 98-yard touchdown and followed it up with a 62-yarder as well. Josh Allen told reporters he doesn’t view Davis as the team’s wide receiver two, but more so the 1B to Diggs’ 1A. It took some time for him to get there though. As a rookie, Davis was waiting behind John Brown, and last year started behind Emmanuel Sanders. Last year when Sanders went down, Davis took over and the offense found another gear. Since then, he nor the Bills have looked back; as the Bills have an emerging star at wide receiver two.
He put the league on notice with his NFL record, four-touchdown performance in the playoffs last year. At 6’2” 210 pounds, Davis is a bigger bodied receiver, but has turned into the man to take the top off opposing defenses for the Bills. In his last six games played, Davis has eight touchdowns that average 43 yards. He is quickly becoming one of the best deep threats in the league paired with the rocket armed Josh Allen. Davis leads the NFL with a wild 28.1 yards per reception. His vertical presence when healthy is extremely important to the Bills. According to cover one, the last two games when Davis was still hobbled (vs Dolphins & Ravens) Josh Allen averaged 6.3 yards per attempt with a 5.9 average depth of target. Against Baltimore he averaged 5.9 yards per attempt, with a 7.4 average depth of target. With Davis healthy again versus the Steelers, Allen averaged 13.7 yards per attempt with a 14.9 average depth of target.
Sd 100922 Bills 10 Spts
Davis’s vertical ability, which is starting to become elite, is huge for the type of offense the Bills run. Diggs, who is always a threat deep as well, can operate more freely in the medium range of pass attacks with what he does best, route running. It clears out things for everyone else, even for when Allen scrambles. With Davis in, the Bills are so dynamic in all facets, and it feels like he is only scratching the surface. He could be in for another monster game this upcoming Sunday, when the Bills battle the Kansas City Chiefs. Davis recorded his four touchdowns verse them in the playoffs, and this game has shootout written all over it.
