By: Buffalo Sports Chatter Rob
The 31-year-old wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, Cole Beasley, plays in his first ever AFC Championship game this weekend. This comes at the same time the Buffalo Bills return to the AFC Championship for the first time since 1994. Beasley played college football at Southern Methodist University and was signed as undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2012. It is not hard to imagine that Beasley went undrafted due to his size. However, smaller slot receivers have gained popularity over the years. Beasley played 7 seasons for the Cowboys and never played in an NFC Championship game. Many would have thought that Beasley wouldn’t see the field after leaving Dallas. Although he presents value to many teams around the league, his size, age, and ability were in question. The Bills took that chance.
At 5”8 and 174 pounds, Beasley needs to show up for the Bills this weekend. He has been limited at practice this week due to a knee injury but is expected to play against the Chiefs. Whether he was hurt or left out of the game plan, Beasley did not have a single catch against the Baltimore Ravens while Stefon Diggs and John Brown hauled in 22 of 30 targets from Josh Allen. Defense will determine the winner this weekend as both the Bills and Chiefs have shown that they can score on anyone in the league. The Chiefs have allowed their opponents, on average, to score about 23 points per game. Andy Reid and Kansas City’s defensive coordinator, Stephen Spagnuolo, will likely put double coverage on Stefon Diggs while keeping a close eye on John Brown. Cole Beasley can be a difference maker this weekend. In 15 games, he has 82 receptions for 967 yards and four touchdowns. While the Bills will not be relying on Beasley for the deep ball, he needs to move the chains.
On average, the Kansas City Chiefs allow 234 passing yards per game. They allow 5.6 yards per play. Their defense has surprised many this year and they will be looking to limit Josh Allen’s passing downfield. Beasley has set career highs this season and for the first time, he earned a spot on the Associated Press Second All Pro Team. Beasley was welcomed by Buffalo’s culture and winning mentality that is seen both on and off the field this season. He has faced adversity since he beat out two upperclassmen for the starting quarterback position as a freshman at Little Elm High School. He continues to put his body on the line to get the inch that matters. Expect #11 to show up this weekend and keep the chains moving. If the Bills can control the tempo and manage the clock, they will win this game.