Tag: Gabriel Davis

4 best bets to make in Rams-Bills season opener

Here are 4 bets to make in Thursday’s season opener between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams.

The first game of the 2022 NFL season is set to take center stage on Thursday night between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams are considered to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders in the upcoming season and a win on Thursday could put each team on the path to reaching their ultimate goal of playing in the big game.

While it’s fun to simply just watch the game, wagering on certain things to happen can add a little more excitement to football. With the talent that both these teams possess, there shouldn’t be a shortage of offensive plays on Thursday night.

Ahead of the season opener between the Bills and the Rams, here are four of the best bets to make.

All odds are courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook 

Bills WR Gabe Davis primed for breakout season

#Bills WR Gabe Davis primed for breakout season:

Buffalo Bills wide receiver made the most of his opportunities last season. Davis entered the 2021 season as the third wide receiver option behind Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders. For the second consecutive season, Davis caught 35 passes. Davis has combined for 13 touchdowns and 1,148 receiving yards in two seasons with the Bills.

The regular season numbers aren’t astounding, but Davis’ playoff performance against the Kansas City Chiefs is remarkable. Davis caught eight passes for 201 receiving yards and an NFL playoff record four receiving touchdowns.

The postseason performance gives a glimpse into what could be a breakout year for Davis. Even as the third option, Davis led the NFL in catches that moved the sticks or found the end zone.

Davis may face some regression from his tremendously productive 2021 campaign. However, as Davis is slotted to be the major target opposite Diggs for the first time in his NFL career,  he will most like be the recipient of additional targets.

The one area that Davis will look to improve upon is his catch rate. Davis caught 35-of-63 targets last year, good for a rate of 55.6-percent. Even so, Josh Allen earned a passer rating of 103.2 when targeting Davis.

With the added targets, Davis should take a major leap forward in his third season in Buffalo. Career highs in receptions and receiving yards are well within reach, while Davis’ chances of exceeding his rookie touchdown total of seven could be shattered as well.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-related id=104279,104438,104931]

Bills’ Case Keenum took ‘professional approach’ before bounce-back effort

#Bills’ Case Keenum took ‘professional approach’ before bounce-back effort:

Bills backup QB Case Keenum had a rough outing to start the year, committing three turnovers during Buffalo’s preseason Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. 

After Keenum focused all week since then on ball security, he looked to bounce back in the team’s second matchup against the Denver Broncos this past weekend.

He had the chance to do just that when he entered Saturday’s contest, taking the field with just under three minutes to play in the first quarter after Josh Allen completed a successful scoring drive in limited action.

Keenum would go 16 for 18 with 192 yards and a TD pass in the Bills 42-15 victory.

After the game head coach Sean McDermott was asked if it was nice to see Keenum bounce back from his struggles in the previous game.

“Yeah it was, and I mean really when he came in the day after the game last week you could just tell,” McDermott said during his postgame press conference. “And again, it wasn’t an overreaction, but it was a professional’s approach and not that it wasn’t before, but you could just tell he was dialed in on what he wanted to get done this week.”

Though he had only four snaps with the first team offense Keenum made it count, connecting right away with Gabriel Davis on the first play of his drive for 19 yards before connecting with his old Minnesota Vikings target Stefon Diggs for another deep 26-yard toss.

Though Diggs day concluded after his big catch from Keenum, Davis continued to play sharing the field a bit more with the team’s QB2.

“I know me and Diggs were excited,” Davis said while speaking to the media regarding playing time with Keenum.

“I know Case was excited as well to get out there with him. We don’t get as many reps with Case. So to be able to go out there and see how ready and prepared he was, it was a lot of fun.”

The deep threat receiver, who’s developed a good connection with starter Josh Allen, threw his support and vote of confidence behind Keenum as well.

“And I know whenever 18’s out there, we can trust them and I’m glad he’s on our side of the ball.”

[lawrence-related id=104267,104444,104504]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Bills WR Gabe Davis breaks down scoring play against Broncos

#Bills WR Gabe Davis breaks down scoring play against #Broncos:

The Bills put on an offensive display over the weekend, racking up a high-scoring 42-15 win against the Denver Broncos

It included a big scoring catch by WR Gabe Davis on an extended play and a rocket throw from QB Josh Allen.

The toss kicked off an effort that saw the team’s offense score touchdowns on each of their first six offensive drives on their way to a victory that now brings their preseason winning streak to 10 games.

The play looked like it might fall apart or that Allen might go in another direction initially, before hitting Davis with a dart reminiscent of the connection the two demonstrated in last season’s playoff matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Allen could be heard in the background playfully affirming Davis when the WR was asked during the post-game press conference about the trust involved between him and his quarterback, saying “I run fast, I catch ball, touchdown”, causing the WR to grin and chuckle as he answered the question.

“Yeah as soon as I saw the safety down I was like oh this might be a touchdown, hopefully, 17 sees the same thing,” Davis shared with the media alongside Allen. “He did, but when I was running and I saw him spin I thought he was going to go the opposite way, but luckily he stayed back in and came my way and I just kept running and knew I was gonna get the ball and there’s gonna be a touchdown.”

His QB broke down the play and his read on the coverage, echoing the read on the defensive backs.

“You know we just had like a little high low concept and they pushed the safety to the three-man side leaving Gabe one-on-one,” Allen said. “Didn’t get to it right away, again the ball’s got to go to there or Diggs right now early and it didn’t get to Diggs early. So I just kind of put my head down and did a little 360 and wasn’t really meaning to do that but I knew I didn’t want to run so I was just trying to find some space and get the ball off, and again he does such a good job at continuing the play and running when maybe some of these DBs are looking back in their zone coverage and allowing him to get some separation.”

Davis has officially taken over the WR2 role behind top receiver Stefon Diggs following in the footsteps of veteran receivers who played in that role during his development such as John Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.

His breakout performance in the postseason against Kansas City and the electrifying connection he and Allen demonstrated during that game may have been only the beginning for the duo.

[lawrence-related id=104444,104504,104497]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Bills’ Josh Allen shines in lone preseason series vs. the Broncos

That’ll do, Josh…

Earlier this week, Bills head coach Sean McDermott raised some eyebrows when he announced that Josh Allen and starters would play a “healthy amount” in their preseason game vs. the Broncos.

While he didn’t specify the exact time frame, fans and media alike questioned the risk/reward of playing the MVP candidate in a meaningless preseason game due to the obvious risk of injury.

One argument for giving Allen and the starters time together on the field in a real game situation was new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.

Making sure Allen and Dorsey are on the same page with play-calling come the regular season is pivotal. If Saturday was any indication, no one has anything to worry about.

Allen led the Bills on an eight play, 70-yard drive which was capped off by a beautiful 28-yard touchdown dart, to wide receiver, Gabriel Davis:

The Bills ended up taking Allen out after the drive and went on to win the game, 42-15.

After the game, Allen, who is known for his competitive spirt, was asked if he pushed to stay in the game longer.

“Whatever coach asked me to do, I’m doing,” Allen told reporters following the game. “Did feel weird to only play six once you get into that little rhythm, but shoutout to our guys playing today, playing hard, making plays. Came out with intensity from the get-go. I’m proud of how we handled ourselves today. It was good to see.”

Allen added that he wasn’t told exactly how long he’d play, but they’d go by how things felt in the moment.

“It was kind of after that series,” Allen continued. “Coach had a plan and originally thinking I might have two series or at least the first quarter, but I think just kinda how we operated and how the defense was playing, time within the first quarter kinda dwindling down, you know, just kinda what it was.”

As mentioned, the Dorsey/Allen chemistry was something to watch for. The Bills quarterback was happy with how things went.

“It is what it is. It’s preseason, we know that,” Allen stated humbly. “Things are going to be different come regular season. Obviously higher stakes and all that jazz that comes with it. But in terms of operation and getting the play into the huddle and getting out and having time to at least be at the line and make adjustments if need be, I thought we did a real good job with that today.”

The Bills will attempt to wrap-up the preseason with a perfect 3-0 record on Friday night when they head to Carolina to play the Panthers. A win would extend the Bills preseason win streak to 11 games.

Most fans would probably prefer to see Allen sit on the bench for the entirety of that game. If he does, a perfect drive would encapsulate his 2022 preseason. Perhaps a sign of much bigger things to come.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-related id=104299,104292]

Bills, Josh Allen pick up where they left off as QB launched beautiful rocket TD pass to Gabriel Davis

Allen and the Bills are definitely ready for the season.

The Bills are going to be many people’s popular pick to win Super Bowl 57 this year. Heck, who am I kidding? They’re the No. 1 team in our preseason NFL power rankings for a reason.

Between a stacked defense that brought in the all-world Von Miller as a free agent, a top coaching staff led by the steady hand of Sean McDermott, and a legitimate cyborg QB in Josh Allen, who might be the MVP favorite — it’s easy to why everyone loves Buffalo pro football right now.

During Saturday’s preseason game against the Broncos (+7), Allen and promising receiver Gabriel Davis showed that they’re already in elite midseason form after they connected on an absolute beauty of a touchdown:

Sweet heavens.

Do Allen and the Bills even need the preseason to warm up? That team looks like it could and probably should skip to mid-February right now. This Allen-Davis TD is undoubtedly one of the first many, many highlights in Western New York this year.

Bills QB Josh Allen hits Gabriel Davis for amazing 28-yard scramble drill TD

Josh Allen to Gabriel Davis for a touchdown? This could be a thing in 2022 as it was in 2021.

Last time we saw Josh Allen connecting to Gabriel Davis, it was the infamous divisional game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which the Buffalo Bills lost in overtime, 42-36. That game led to a long-overdue change in the NFL’s overtime rules, and all the Bills could do was to wait for the new season to start.

Davis became the only receiver in pro football history to catch four touchdown passes in a playoff game, so the loss certainly wasn’t on him. It was his breakout game, and as it turned out, there were no fluke elements to that. When Allen got back on the field for the first time in the 2022 preseason in Saturday’s game against the Denver Broncos, the first Bills drive ended with this incendiary 28-yard touchdown pass to Davis.

It was impressive enough for Allen to elude pressure and re-set himself for the throw, — which went a log way in a big hurry — but watch how Davis gets vertical against cornerback Damarri Mathis. There was no way nobody not named Gabriel Davis wasn’t going to get that ball, and it augurs well for the Bills’ 2022 campaign.

Buffalo Bills ‘win’ ESPY for best game

#Bills ‘win’ ESPY for best game:

It’s of little consolation to Bills fans that Buffalo was part of the most exciting game of the year. The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs earned the honor for the enthralling ending to the AFC division round playoff game. The historic matchup featured numerous lead changes in the game’s final two minutes.

Buffalo charged back to take the lead with 13 seconds remaining. Wide receiver Gabriel Davis caught his playoff-record fourth touchdown to give the Bills a field goal lead. It was undone by Patrick Mahomes driving the Cheifs into field goal range to tie the game. Kansas City won the toss, and the rest is history. Travis Kelce caught the game-winning touchdown, sealing the Bills fate for the 2021 season.

It opens a wound for Bills fans, as it’s a reminder of what could have been for Buffalo. Multiple times, it seemed like the Bills were destined to play in the AFC Championship game, only to be undone by a coin flip and failed defensive stop.

[lawrence-related id=103112,103432,103425]

Fantasy football training camp roundup: July 24-28

A spin around all of the fantasy football buzz as training camps get underway.

Now that all teams have reported to training camps across the NFL, here’s a spin around the league for a look at the most notable fantasy football news as of Thursday, July 28.