The Buffalo Bills begin their final two games of the 2025 NFL regular season Sunday with a big matchup against the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles at home at Highmark Stadium.
The Birds have some weaknesses on defense that the Bills’ coaches can game plan and devise a strategy for, which could feature some specific individuals on offense. Who could those be?
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Here are three potential X-factors on the Bills‘ offense against the Eagles in Week 17:
RB James Cook
The Eagles’ defense struggles against horizontal motion play-action, which the Bills can attack. QB Josh Allen is elite in motion play-action due to his dual-threat ability to run the ball, which causes opposing defenses to cover him whether he is tucking the ball or faking a run, which opens up passing lanes as well.
Philly’s linebackers have consistently had issues with coverage, tackling, and giving up too many yards after catch (YAC), especially to running backs as receivers.
Cook, who was drafted to be a dual-threat RB1 in the ground and passing game, leads the league in rushing yards and is third in total touchdowns. He can attack and exploit the Eagles as he has in similar matchups this season.
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WR Khalil Shakir
Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) enters the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Speaking of Philadelphia’s propensity to give up significant yards after catch, it makes them particularly vulnerable to checkdowns and quick passes.
Also, in addition to the spotty linebacker play, beyond the talent of second-year safety Cooper DeJean, the team’s secondary has lacked depth and consistency and struggled consistently throughout the season.
Enter Buffalo’s leading receiver and resident YAC king, receiver Khalil Shakir, as a logical go-to target.
TE Dawson Knox
Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Knox has been getting hot lately in the passing game, and the Bills effectively use two tight end sets (12 personnel) to facilitate motion on play-action. Having Kincaid and Knox on the field creates mismatches for opposing defenses, who then must account for multiple receiving options who can also block.
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While that allows the offense to run the ball effectively, which will benefit Cook, Knox has several $100k bonus incentives he can hit with 1 catch, 1 TD, and 37 receiving yards. Allen will likely want to help him reach with only two games to go. And it helps that it’s one of the QBs’ most tenured targets.
The veteran tight end will have a chance to be an X factor in multiple ways.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 3 X-factors on the Bills offense vs. the Eagles in Week 17