Midseason grades for the Buffalo Bills offense

The Buffalo Bills are now officially entering the second half of their 2024 season.

The first half of the season has been a bit of a roller coaster. The Bills started the season with three convincing victories, followed by two ugly losses against playoff contenders, and finished their first half with four solid wins.

Hampered by injuries and some inconsistent play after the first month, the Bills offense has begun to gel and hopefully their second half resembles the first.

Here are first half grades for the Bills offense:

Quarterbacks: A-

Personnel: Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky
Analysis: Josh Allen is having another MVP-caliber season and he’s doing it in ways we’re not used to. 

Although Allen’s passing yards and passing touchdowns are down overall through nine games, his turnovers are as well and the 2024 Bills have as many wins through nine games as they’ve had in the Josh Allen era. 

For a majority of the first half, Josh Allen has been electric. His play resulted in being awarded Offensive Player of the Month for September. However, Allen has shown his vulnerabilities in two games against top-tier NFL teams.

Versus the Ravens and Texans, Josh Allen had a 65.0 QB Rating, throwing for only 311 yards and one touchdown.

Is Josh Allen a true MVP candidate? The Bills have marquee matchups versus the Chiefs, 49ers and Lions in the second half. If he can keep beating up on the bottom-feeding teams and take care of business versus playoff-caliber teams, Allen might finally be hoisting the MVP crown this offseason.

Running backs: B

Personnel: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson
Analysis: The 2024 Bills’ running back group has had more production per game than any other running back room during the Sean McDermott era.

Their combined 137.9 total yards per game has taken away rushing attempts by Josh Allen and their pass catching abilities have opened up a new world of checkdowns for Allen. This has kept his interceptions low, and his quarterback efficiency high.

The trio of James Cook, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson are young and cheap and will all be back next season.

Wide receivers: B

Personnel: Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel, Amari Cooper
Analysis: There has been no one wide receiver that has stood out as the Bills WR1. It may be Amari Cooper after he gets going, but for the most part, the target share has gone to Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman in this group.

Shakir and Coleman have brought another element to Josh Allen’s pass game—Yards After Catch (YAC).  Shakir and Coleman rank 19^th and 16^th in the NFL in YAC yards, respectively—something Josh Allen hasn’t been used to with his receivers in the past.

The current Bills pass catchers have more YAC yards per reception than any other Bills squad under Josh Allen.

Tight ends: C-

Personnel: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris
Analysis: In the first half of the 2024 season, Dalton Kincaid has not lived up to expectations. 

Although Kincaid has the fifth most targets in the NFL amongst tight ends through 9 games, he ranks a mediocre 18^th in yards per game and 13^th in receptions per game.

His 59.3 catch % is 38^th and his receiving success rate of 53.7 is 25^th in the league. 

Hopefully for Kincaid and the Bills, his second half of the season will trend upwards.

Dawson Knox has 8 receptions for 102 yards so far this season as the Bills have been using him more for his blocking abilities than offensive production.

Offensive tackles: A

Personnel: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson
Analysis: Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown are once again healthy and having an awesome first half of 2024.

Josh Allen has been sacked 11 times this season for a sack percentage of 4.03%, which is third-best in the league. Though this is partially a credit to Allen’s athleticism, it’s mainly due to the Bills excellent offensive tackle protection.

Interior offensive line: C

Personnel: Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, David Edwards, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Analysis: One of the big concerns this offseason was the transition to center for Connor McGovern after the Bills parted ways with Mitch Morse in the offseason. 

This concern has been squashed so far this season as there have been zero center-quarterback snap issues and McGovern has a 70.7 PFF grade which is ranks seventh among all centers.

O’Cyrus Torrence got off to a dreadful start this season with multiple penalties and was graded among the worst guards according to PFF. Torrence’s play has improved to date and expect him to have a solid second half of the season.