Stevie Johnson, Robert Woods return to practice
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (13) catches the ball during warm-ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills starting wide receivers Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods were held out of the Bills Week 11 game against the New York Jets, but the passing offense didn’t miss a beat and probably had their best game of the season without Johnson and Woods. That has more to do with E.J. Manuel playing at an elite level and wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and T.J. Graham stepping up than any sort of indictment of Woods and Johnson (Woods is solid, Johnson is great). The Bills also benefited from an awful Jets offense that set the Bills up with nice field position, as well as a Jets pass defense that seemingly had no idea how to keep their man in front of them.
The Bills passing attack could have a similarly good game this week against the Atlanta Falcons, especially now that Woods and Johnson are set to return following a much-needed bye week’s worth of rest. I’m betting that the Bills were more inclined to hold Woods and Johnson out of the game against the Jets due to the presence of a bye week in Week 12.
According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Mike Rodak, both Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods are back at practice for the Bills, and they should be able to take full advantage of a poor, inconsistent Falcons pass defense. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, to see Woods lose snaps to fellow rookie Marquise Goodwin, whose elite speed would be invaluable against a severely burn-prone Falcons secondary. I could easily see Goodwin breaking a big play or two on the Falcons.
It’s great to hear that both Johnson and Woods are at practice today, which confirms that they are indeed fully ready to play this week against the Falcons.