Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills defense has given up 40+ points in consecutive weeks
Welcome back to our weekend chat, Buffalo Bills fans.
The Buffalo Bills’ defense has given up 42+ points in consecutive weeks, and every time the national media talks about how awesome the Bills offense has been over that two-game stretch, they add a caveat before anointing the Bills.
“Can the Bills’ offense overcome the Bills defense?”
So it begs the question: How concerned are we really about the defense?
Here are some key points for your consieration:
Milano has been okay in his return. I am personally not worried yet about him, though he is officially listed as questionable for this weekend with a groin injury. My only goal is getting Milano to his new 100% by the time the playoffs starts, so if he’s still shaking off rust or recovering from the biceps injury, that’s okay. Keep working through it if his groin allows. But I know there are others out there who want Dorian Williams in the lineup right now.
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver was absolutely electric against the Detroit Lions and I was very glad to see it. He said after the loss to the Rams that he was pissed and it shows. But that’s the problem with Oliver, is that when he’s motivated he looks awesome and when he’s not, he’s pedestrian. Let’s hope he can turn it on in the playoffs.
DaQuan Jones has had a drop-off this year and his age, that’s not shocking. The rest of the DTs haven’t done anything to warrant praise, really. They could use more from the position especially if they see stout running games in the postseason.
Meanwhile at the edge, Greg Rousseau has been on fire this season and Von Miller looks like he can contribute. A.J. Epenesa and the rest of the DEs are capable, but the more big plays we see, the more I want to see out of those pass rushers.
The Bills are 25th in the NFL in yards per attempt allowed but 12th in rushing yards allowed. Buffalo’s offense was able to make the Lions one-dimensional this past weekend to limit the potent Detroit run game, but they can’t do that every week. We saw against the Ravens what happens when the other team is allowed to be balanced. If those two teams match up in the divisional round, with the Bills be able to stop Derrick Henry this time?
The Bills are 27th in the NFL having committed 99 penalties on defense in 2024.
Alright this is actually a positive I snuck in here. Ha. The Bills are third in the NFL with a turnover percentage of 16.3, and that’s good. But it is covering up the fact that the Bills are allowing...
