Keon Coleman’s affable personality has been a great fit in Buffalo’s locker room since the Bills drafted him at the top of the second round last April. That personality even extended to the line of scrimmage at a critical time in Sunday’s 34-10 win over Tennessee, when Amari Cooper needed help.
Acquired just five days earlier in a trade with Cleveland, Cooper turned to Coleman after Josh Allen changed the play with Buffalo down 10-7. Then, after Coleman told him what to do, Cooper made his first catch in a Bills uniform, a 12-yard touchdown reception that put Buffalo ahead for good.
“He’s looking at Keon Coleman like, ‘Hey, Bruh: What the hell do I have right now?’” said former player Emmanuel Acho, breaking down film of the historic play. “Because Josh Allen just put his hands on his helmet and said, ‘Alert, alert, alert.’ Going from Play No. 1 to Play No. 2.”
Play No. 2 was the first of four catches for Cooper, who said on Tuesday he’s always been a fan of Allen’s game. But Allen was a fan of Cooper’s after the receiver posted 66 yards in his Bills debut. Starting with Cooper’s touchdown, Buffalo scored on all five second-half possessions against a stiff defense. Tennessee (1-5) entered ranked No. 1 in the league in fewest yards allowed per game.
Allen didn’t just focus on Cooper, either. Cooper opened opportunities for others as Allen targeted nine overall players and finished 21 of 33 for 323 yards and two touchdowns. He’s now gone nine games without an interception, including postseason, and he looked even better thanks to a rookie selflessly providing timely help. In addition to that key assist, Coleman posted an early career best 125 receiving yards on four catches.
Buffalo (5-2) now faces a difficult test, a cross-country trip to Seattle against a Seahawks club (4-3) that just posted an impressive win at Atlanta.
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