As the Buffalo Bills prepare for their Week 17 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team sits at 11-4, fresh off a hard-fought 23-20 road win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. This victory marked their fourth straight, clinching at least an 11-win season for the sixth-consecutive year, and locking them in for the AFC playoff race.
The Bills’ offense leaned heavily on the ground game, while the defense generated key stops, including multiple sacks and pressures from the edge. Quarterback
Josh Allen completed just 12-of-19 passes for 130 yards, with the rushing attack and defense carrying the day in a low-scoring affair where Buffalo overcame being outgained in total yards (259-294).
With the Eagles holding a strong NFC East lead and potentially managing player rest, this home game at Highmark Stadium could impact seeding. Buffalo’s elite rushing efficiency (second in the league in yards per attempt) faces Philly’s solid defense, which means that individual performances will be crucial.
Let’s examine the top three Bills players trending up (our “Heroes”) and three trending down (“Head-Scratchers”), supported by key stats from sources like ESPN, Pro Football Reference, and some other team reports.
Heroes: Trending Up
1. Greg Rousseau, DE
Greg Rousseau dominated in Week 16 against the Browns, recording a season-high 2.5 sacks, nine pressures, seven quarterback hits, and key late-game disruptions that forced a turnover on downs and intentional grounding, closing the game. His performance helped limit Cleveland’s offense despite time-of-possession disadvantages.
Season-long, Rousseau has 6.5 sacks through 15 games, 43 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble, with consistent performances against the run in four straight seasons. His pass-rush dominance against the Browns was really fun to watch, and something that Bills Mafia was eager to see. Buffalo will need this version of Groot to challenge the Eagles’ line and the mobile Jalen Hurts.
2. Dion Dawkins, LT
I’ve been critical of Dion Dawkins recently, but there’s no denying that, when focused, he’s one of the best left tackles in the game. Against the Browns, he anchored the left side masterfully in Week 16, holding defensive end Myles Garrett to just one pressure on 18 pass rushes while helping Buffalo’s ground success (160-plus rushing yards total) and James Cook III’s explosive gains, also joining the running back and the team’s superstar quarterback as the three Bills’ Pro Bowl selections this season.
To push it home a bit further, Garrett’s half a sack against the Bills was the first game he’d been held without a full sack since Week 6, and the first outing since Week 10 where he didn’t record at least two quarterback hits in a game.
Dawkins has been inconsistent in 2025, but he’s trending in the right direction at the right time, protecting Allen’s blindside and contributing to the team’s top-tier rushing attack. His physicality has shielded Allen during a season of offensive highs, and against Philly’s edge rushers, his upward trajectory remains vital for the team’s success.
3. James Cook III, RB
James Cook was Buffalo’s offensive star in Week 16, rushing 16 times for 117 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard burst on the opening drive, and a 3-yard score. He added 17 receiving yards, totaling a strong outing that built on his first-half explosion (nine carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns).
Cook leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,532 through 15 games) with 12 rushing touchdowns, plus 32 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns — totaling 1,820 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns. His efficiency and burst have made him a Pro Bowl selection, and his hot streak may allow him to exploit Philly’s run defense, as he quietly positions himself within Offensive Player of the Year conversations.
Head-Scratchers: Trending Down
1. Keon Coleman, WR
Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch in Week 16, continuing a troubling pattern of limited contributions amid maturity and performance concerns. After a promising Week 1 (eight receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown), his impact faded, with inconsistent routes, drops, and off-field issues like lateness to meetings leading to multiple benchings. Reports highlight professionalism and trust problems, as he has failed to become Allen’s reliable outside target despite draft hype.
With minimal production and repeated healthy scratches, regaining his role won’t be easy anytime soon, especially as the receiving corps prioritizes consistency and dependability from others like Khalil Shakir and Tyrell Shavers.
2. Brandin Cooks, WR
Brandin Cooks, signed midseason for veteran help and to add a vertical threat, has struggled to make an impact despite creating separation downfield at times. In limited action (4 games with Buffalo), he has just one reception for 13 yards (20.0% catch rate), with multiple games of zero catches despite targets. Cooks’ inability to convert opportunities (often failing to secure passes on deeper routes) has prevented him from becoming a reliable weapon for Allen in the passing game.
As Buffalo leans on the run and other receivers, Cooks’ low efficiency hasn’t allowed for him to become a true factor. I’m still confident he can figure it out and help Buffalo’s offense, but he has to start making those catches downfield ASAP.
3. Michael Badgley, K
Badgley, signed to the practice squad and elevated for Week 16 due to Matt Prater’s quad injury, was limited to shorter attempts (no kicks from 50-plus yards) but still missed an extra point (2-of-3 PATs, clanking one off the upright). He made his only field goal (41 yards) but also had a short kickoff that gifted Cleveland field position.
Coming off a stint with the Indianapolis Colts where he missed three extra points in seven games (leading to his release), the Bills’ brass held tryouts for other kickers this week amid uncertainty. Badgley must improve upon his reliability quickly or he won’t be part of Buffalo’s plans much longer.
Honorable Mentions
Trending Up:
- Jordan Poyer (S) — In 10 games, Poyer has been a steady veteran presence with 70 combined tackles (31 solo), 1 interception (including a key pick in Week 16 vs. Browns), 3 pass deflections, and strong leadership in the secondary. Should be missed against the Eagles (hamstring injury)
- Christian Benford (CB) — The CB1 has excelled in 13 games with 40 tackles, 2 interceptions (including a pick-six), 2 sacks, and solid coverage metrics, established as a shutdown corner and a Pro Bowl snub.
- Matt Milano (LB) — In 11 games, Milano has delivered 60 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 QB hits, and reliable play-making, providing veteran stability to the linebacker corps despite injury setbacks.
Trending Down:
- Joshua Palmer (WR) — Signed as a key free-agent addition, Palmer has underperformed in 10 games with 20 receptions for 290 yards (14.5 avg) on 32 targets (62.5% catch rate), 0 TDs, and reports of limited separation/impact despite early hype; injuries and low targets have made his $29M deal look questionable so far.
- Dawson Knox (TE) — In 15 games, Knox has 29 receptions for 363 yards (12.5 avg) and 3 TDs on 42 targets, but with notable drops (including a potential TD in Week 16 vs. Browns) and a 5-drop season trend, his reliability in the passing game continues to be an issue despite recent good performances.
Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of Leading the Charge!
