Predicting Dalton Kincaid’s Stats Against Arizona Cardinals in Week 1

The Buffalo Bills host the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday for Bills Mafia. The Cardinals are coming off a down year and were expected to do worse than they did due to injuries and a lack of talent. Despite their 4-13 record, they were competitive against most of the teams they played.

The Cardinals’ offense has improved in the offseason, acquiring a new weapon in Marvin Harrison Jr. and several other targets, along with Kyler Murray having a healthy offseason. However, they haven’t improved on their shaky defense, which was one of the league’s worst last year, ranking 30th in passing and 28th in rushing touchdowns allowed.

The Bills offense should perform this Sunday, even with the current offense. However, Dalton Kincaid is one of the few passing targets Allen has played with before. Kincaid had a great rookie year and is Allen’s potential number one target.

The 25th overall pick in 2023 didn’t get as many snaps as some fans had hoped in 2023, while Dawson Knox was the featured tight end until injuring his wrist. In Knox’s absence, Kincaid got a chance to show why he was a first-round pick.

Kincaid hasn’t necessarily been a game-changer, though, as he has yet to record a single 100-yard game. Kincaid has become a reliable target for Allen, however, as he made some spectacular catches during key situations last season.

Allen and Kincaid developed good chemistry over the course of last season, and that should continue, especially in this upcoming game. Arizona has a weak linebacking core outside of Zaven Collins, so there could be some mismatches with the young, athletic tight end throughout the game. However, the Cardinals have an elite safety in Budda Baker who could provide a challenge for Kincaid.

Prediction: Kincaid will look to take a big step in this upcoming game, recording his first 100-game passing game and having a career day overall, with 108 yards on nine receptions and two touchdowns. Assuming Kincaid stays healthy, he is set for a breakout year and will be Allen’s number one pick this year. He will start the season hot given Arizona’s lackluster defense.