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Buffalo Bills: LeSean McCoy’s Return May Push Them Into Playoffs

By Luke Sims

Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) rushes as Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) defends during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) rushes as Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) defends during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy won’t be facing punishment from the NFL, helping to put the Bills (finally) back into the playoffs.

It wasn’t all that long ago when questions about who could step up lingered around the Buffalo Bills following stud running back LeSean McCoy’s involvement in a fight outside a lounge in February.

Now, with a clean slate following the league’s decision not to punish him (per NFL.com), McCoy will be able to be with the team the whole year and, hopefully, push toward the playoffs.

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This is critical for the Bills, especially in light of two other running backs having run-ins with the law (per NFL.com’s Jeremy Bergman). McCoy is the top running threat and a multifaceted offensive weapon, without whom the Bills may have severely struggled to move the ball.

Jun 14, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) performs a drill during mini-camp at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) performs a drill during mini-camp at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

McCoy brings balance to the Bills offense. Even with the emergence of Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, McCoy remains the primary mover of the offense. Shouldering the load for 12 games and providing 4.4 yards per carry in addition to an impressive nine yard average on almost three receptions per game, McCoy’s presence is critical for the offense.

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Giving Taylor a running threat and a receiving outlet helped him to quickly become one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL despite never starting a game before last season. He is still a young, relatively unproven entity at the game’s most important position and taking pressure off of him is key to the Bills getting past 8-8 and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

This isn’t just pinning too much on one player (especially a player who is not a quarterback). It’s a reality for a Buffalo Bills team that hasn’t yet matured into a complete unit. Right now they are, like many other teams, on the bubble. Getting LeSean McCoy for the full year, especially after his season was cut short to 12 games in 2015, could possibly be the key to a winning season and the playoffs.

Without the legal and NFL-punishment cloud hanging over McCoy and the Bills, the fans can finally get back to being optimistic about the coming season. They can return to hoping he stays healthy for a full 16 games (he’s only started all 16 in two seasons) and is productive through them all.

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It hasn’t been a perfect offseason for the Bills, but there are plenty of positives heading into 2016. Getting McCoy cleared is just another sign pointing up.

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