The NFL has always been a week-to-week, any-given-Sunday league. Fans鈥 emotions and devotions waffle wildly in the what-have-you-won-for-me-lately mindset.
This has been especially true for the Buffalo Bills, who had a torrid three-week start, a horrid two-week hiatus, and a solid reversal Monday to finish the first portion of their schedule at 4-2, with a two-game lead in the AFC East.
What also wildly vacillated was the 鈥淏ills鈥 weapons鈥 argument, controversy, deficiency, or whatever you want to call it since the Stefon Diggs trade.
Early on, the 鈥渆veryone eats鈥 plan worked efficiently. The team stuffed the scoresheets and gobbled up three explosive wins, averaging over 37 points per game. The Bills were the talk of the league and Josh Allen the early MVP favorite.
For three weeks, the team seemingly had all the weapons they needed, even without prolific stats or fantasy stars.
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Then reality hit hard.
The Bills got smashed in the gut and embarrassed by the Baltimore Ravens and were nipped by the Houston Texans, scoring only 30 points total in those two games.
Suddenly, the word around Bills Mafia and the league was that the Bills lacked sufficient weapons for their gunslinger star quarterback.
For two weeks, the team was too weak.
Monday night鈥檚 win over the Jets soothed the temporary panic that the Bills lacked an ample arsenal to compete with the top teams. But the weapons issue still hovered.
Enter Amari Cooper, a 30-year-old established piece of aerial ordnance who immediately takes serious pressure off Josh Allen鈥檚 other artillery.
Khalil Shakir goes from a shifty-but-shaky WR1 to a solid and dangerous WR2 option. Rookie Keon Coleman from an ill-prepared WR2 to a less-pressured WR3 capable of big plays.
Curtis Samuel from a (so far) disappointing under-utilized free agent signing to a talented WR4 who can be used by offensive coordinator Joe Brady more suited to his skills.
Mack Hollins from a suspect starter to a respected reserve.
Cooper is a bona fide outside weapon who can beat DBs off the line, get open with separation and is especially good when plays break down, which Allen and Bills fans will likely love.
Overnight, the Bills have plenty of firepower, at least on paper.
And lest we forget another newfound weapon named Ray Davis.
In his first game with real playing time, the rookie had 152 yards scrimmage, including 97 on the ground and a spectacular leaping 42-yard playground catch.
The Bills now seem to have three weapons at tailback, with James Cook coming back from a toe injury and Ty Johnson contributing in limited touches. All three are capable of explosive runs and catches of 20 yards or more.
Add in the two tight ends with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, and the Bills now seem to have 10 weapons capable of excelling at any time.
What has not been a weapon is, of course, unreliable kicker Tyler Bass, who is seemingly on his last leg.
The AFC East has become a mini-arms race. Hours after the Bills beat Aaron Rodgers and the New Jersey Jets on the road on national TV, the Jets added a huge weapon of their own in Davante Adams, coddling up to Rodgers for about the 10th time.
Whether the blockbuster trade for one of the biggest playmakers in the NFL will propel them into serious playoff contention for the Jets is still up in the air. Their game this weekend against the 4-2 Pittsburgh Steelers could be a good indicator.
How long it takes for Brady and the Bills to successfully utilize Allen鈥檚 big arm with these various armaments to their fullest will likely be the determining factor in whether the Bills are a serious contender for the title.
After a rather tough six-game schedule to open the season, the Bills face four straight games that all seem winnable.
One trade and one new star player change the perceptions, and likely the receptions, in the Buffalo offense.
Amari Cooper is a Bill, and a supposed weakness of weapons may now be a possible strength.
Go Bills.