The Bills may be headed into Monday night with a real question at receiver, and it could put even more pressure on Keon Coleman.
DJ Moore has been working through a shoulder injury since Week 2, and while he has not missed a start, he also was not able to finish Week 4 against the Patriots because of it. Joe Brady recently said that if Moore feels he is ready to go, he could suit up, but that would be a big mistake.
If Moore is limited or unavailable, Coleman is the obvious name to watch. He already showed what he can do when Moore left the game against the Lions in Week 2, finishing with 6 catches on 6 targets for 63 yards. He followed that up in Week 4 with his best performance yet, going for 6 catches, 116 yards, and a touchdown late in the fourth quarter that put the Bills ahead of New England.
Now Coleman gets another chance to build on that momentum against the Rams, but the assignment is no joke.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus pointed to Coleman versus cornerback Trent McDuffie as one of the top Week 5 matchups, and the numbers back up why that stands out. Locker wrote, " Coleman entered the 2026 campaign in dire need of success, and he’s obtained it.
His 81.0 PFF receiving grade is the 13th-highest among receivers with at least 15 targets, compiling 2.38 yards per route run. Coleman’s 87.5% catch rate on targets is also tied for third in the group, showcasing that he’s been effective when Josh Allen has thrown in his vicinity."
Locker also made clear what Coleman is walking into on the other side. " On the other side lurks McDuffie, who’s started his Rams career looking like his prototypical All-Pro self.
His 90.4 PFF coverage grade is tied with Ward atop the totem pole, and his 28% forced incompletion rate is third as well. McDuffie has allowed a preposterous 21.1 passer rating into his coverage thus far."
Locker added.
So yes, Coleman has been productive early and has already flashed in bigger moments. But if Moore is out and Coleman can’t get traction against McDuffie, the Bills may have to lean harder on Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir to carry the passing game. That’s a tricky path, especially with the Rams able to adjust on the fly.
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