By Nick Brinkerhoff
For sports fans, fewer things are more exciting than entering a new season with a team expected to be a contender. There’s that irrational confidence walking into the building on gamedays.
During the football season, the tailgates have more energy. The food from the grills smell better. The community somehow becomes even more tight knit than before. Jets fans like myself do not get to experience that often, or really at all since they last made the playoffs over a decade ago.
But if you look at the clock when the 2022 NFL season starts, odds are, it’ll say Buffalo Bills. It’s a fanbase, city and team that all feel it is their time. Time to win the big game in February.
We know the hype is out of control for Buffalo and rightfully so. In fact, fewer things are more certain in the American economy right now than the sales of folding tables. A necessity for Bills Mafia in Western New York and probably a great investment for entrepreneurs.
However, all of those good vibes could end in a New York minute. One injury to MVP candidate quarterback Josh Allen is enough to send the season into a tailspin. In a sport with 53-man rosters, it’s bizarre how fragile an entire season can be because of one injury to the wrong player.
Who is the Bills backup quarterback?
Good question, reader. Here’s the answer. Take it away, Joe.
“Pass is…CAUGHT! DIGGS! SIDELINE! TOUCHDOWN! UNBELIEVABLE!”
Those were the famous words from former FOX commentator Joe Buck as then-Vikings quarterback Case Keenum pulled off the Minneapolis Miracle in 2018. As exciting as that memory is for Vikings fans, the Bills fans hope they don’t have to revive the Keenum to Stefon Diggs connection in 2022.
Keenum has only started more than 10 games twice in his nine-year-career. The first was the Vikings season in 2017, leading Minnesota to a 11-3 record while tossing 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 3,547 yards passing.
It was a breakout year for Keenum, mostly a career backup to that point. That year led to an investment from John Elway and the Broncos, thinking Keenum could be a solid starter for a talented Denver team. Instead, the Broncos received the Keenum of old, finishing with a 6-10 record, tossing only 18 touchdowns to 15 interceptions on 3,890 yards passing.
After a one year experiment in the mile high city, Keenum was off to the nation’s capital, once again experiencing tough sledding, this time in Washington. He finished with a 1-7 record in eight starts for the team that changes names more than the weather.
Bottom line, the Bills found themselves an experienced backup who also has familiarity with their top offensive player not named Josh Allen. Is it a great option to turn to? Absolutely not, but very few are.
The Bills at least can hang their hat on knowing Keenum has been there before. Realistically, Keenum can step in for a few weeks or maybe even longer, but as is the reality in NFL life, the Bills Super Bowl dreams start and end with Allen staying healthy through the season.
Even in the event that Keenum is forced into action, the unwanted step-child journeyman quarterback can take solace in knowing he is playing with one of the most talented rosters in the league, with dynamic offense weapons and an elite defense.
Don’t hesitate to pick up Keenum in fantasy or place a bet on Buffalo, depending on the matchup if this nightmarish scenario becomes reality.
In case you’re curious, the Bills currently sit as Super Bowl favorites, with the best price available at +700 on PointsBet. If you are the type to play it safe, PointsBet also has the best price for Buffalo to win the AFC at +400. Maybe neither of those sound appealing at this point in time. Well, then you can hop on board the bandwagon and bet them at +100 in Week 1 against the Rams on BetMGM.