ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In a triumphant display that brought cheers from fans and players alike, the Buffalo Bills’ defense shone brightly in their recent game against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
Three critical takeaways, four sacks—including one that resulted in a safety—and the demoralizing sight of Rodgers being benched with the score at 40-0 early in the fourth quarter offered a refreshing change for a makeshift defense that had previously conceded a staggering 107 points, along with 1,357 yards and 86 first downs over the last three games.
The impressive performance contributed to a 40-14 victory, allowing the Bills (now 13-3) to secure the second seed in the AFC playoff picture. However, lingering concerns remain about how this defense will perform against tougher teams when the playoffs commence in two weeks. Will quarterback Josh Allen’s high-scoring offense be enough to compensate for potential defensive lapses?
“We’ve had our doubters over the past few weeks,” said A.J. Epenesa, who recorded the safety. “We just wanted to show what level our defense can achieve.”
Yet, while taking down a struggling Rodgers and an unravelling Jets team is quite an accomplishment, facing off against elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert will undoubtedly present a much greater challenge.
Currently, Buffalo ranks 11th in the league by allowing an average of 21.6 points per game. The team has managed a 5-3 record when allowing 21 or more points. Problems persist, as the defense ranks 21st in yards given up, heavily relying on their NFL-leading 31 takeaways (tied with Pittsburgh and Minnesota) to keep opponents at bay.
“It was fantastic to see our defense performing well. Everything came together for us,” cornerback Taron Johnson remarked. “If we maintain this performance level, we can achieve something great.”
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the additional factors contributing to the Bills’ achievements. Their defeats to teams such as Baltimore, Houston, and the Los Angeles Rams were marked by allowing over 400 yards and a turnover differential of just plus-1. Buffalo heads into the week with an impressive plus-23 turnover ratio. Interestingly, the setbacks also represent the only occasions this season when the Bills have been behind by 10 or more at halftime.
In stark contrast, Buffalo boasts a flawless 9-0 record when leading at halftime and is 7-1 when scoring on their first possession. This emphasizes the importance of starting strong, as illustrated in a showdown against the Lions on December 15, when the Bills achieved a thrilling 48-42 victory. Buffalo’s defense logged two quick three-and-outs, while the offense found the end zone on their opening three drives.
Questions about the defense’s playoff readiness have persisted for years. The Bills suffered three playoff exits at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs and one at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals over the last four seasons, surrendering a combined score of 134-94, permitting an average of 441 offensive yards, while managing only two takeaways—both being fumbles.
Injuries and the inexperience of players have contributed to Buffalo’s defensive unpredictability this season. A silver lining is that the unit is gradually becoming healthier as they approach the playoffs. Coach Sean McDermott will also have the luxury of resting many starters in their upcoming, predominantly inconsequential game against New England.
What’s Working: The red-zone offense has been particularly effective. Over the last six games, the Bills secured 19 touchdowns, with two field goals and a missed field goal across 22 drives within the opponent’s 20-yard line.
What Needs Improvement: The defense’s inconsistency, particularly in preventing conversions on third downs, poses a significant challenge. Buffalo ranks 29th in the NFL, allowing teams to convert 44.4% of third downs.
Stock Up: Wide receiver Amari Cooper stood out with three catches for 56 yards and a spectacular 30-yard touchdown, in a reminder of the deep talent pool within the Bills’ receiving corps, which may not see anyone reach the 1,000-yard mark by season’s end.
Stock Down: It’s difficult to criticize anyone following such a strong outing. The spotlight may instead shine on practice squad elevation Tyrell Shavers, who scored on a 69-yard reception, and rookie linebacker Joe Andreessen, who led the team with eight tackles and saw more game time than he had in his previous 11 appearances combined.
Injury Updates: No new injuries were reported; however, safety Damar Hamlin is edging closer to a return after missing three games due to a rib issue.
Key Statistic: 4 — Marking a franchise single-season record for the fourth instance in which Buffalo has scored 40 or more points. Under Josh Allen, the team has accomplished this 13 times throughout seven seasons, a notable feat compared to just 13 instances for the 20 seasons between 1997 and 2017.
Next Steps: Coach McDermott mentioned that Allen’s extended streak of 104 games starting is the only reason he plans to start him against New England before pulling him. He also indicated that a group of other starters will not participate.
