Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - I underestimated Sean McDermott, Bobby Babich and the players on the defensive side of the football for the Buffalo Bills. I thought, for sure, that unit would struggle over the first month or two of the season due to the significant losses suffered in the offseason, as well as a big injury from training camp.
When the Bills took the field against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, they were down five starters from the group that opened the 2023 season:
- DE - Leonard Floyd (left via free agency)
- CB - Tre'Davious White (released)
- S - Jordan Poyer (released)
- S - Micah Hyde (free agent and hadn't decided whether he wanted to continue playing or retire)
If that wasn't enough of a hit for the defense, standout linebacker Matt Milano suffered an injury during training camp that hasn't allowed him to play a game this season.
To make matters worse, Taron Johnson, one of the best nickel corners in the NFL, was lost to an injury in that opener against the Cardinals.
Then linebacker Terrel Bernard, who had a breakout season in 2023, went down with an injury early in the second game of the season against the Miami Dolphins.
But the defense has persevered through more than their fair share of adversity, and they are a key reason why the Bills went into their bye week with a 9-2 record.
In terms of NFL rankings, the Bills are ninth in scoring defense, 16th in total yards, 13th in rushing and 14th against the pass. None of their stats are eye-popping, but they just find a way to get the job done. They have very much been a "bend, but don't break" defense.
Two things have helped their cause.
One, the Bills have been very good at making halftime adjustments. There have been multiple games where they have struggled through the first half, and then effectively shut the opponent down in the second half.
The Bills have given up 135 points in the first half this season, and just 79 in the second half.
The other strength of the 2024 Bills defense is their ability to take the ball away. They have, at least, one takeaway in every game. Actually they have a takeaway in 13-straight games going back to last season.
The defense has 13 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. They've even helped with scoring, thanks to a pair of interceptions returned for a touchdown.
The defense is a shining example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.
There is no one stud or superstar that carries the group. Everyone does their part, and at the end of the day, it works. Seven different players have, at least, one interception, while 13 different players have, at least, one sack.
Having said that, Greg Rousseau, whose fifth-year option for 2025 was picked up by the Bills last April, is having a strong season.
Rousseau is 17th in the NFL in pass rush win rate among edge players, according to ESPN Analytics. Pro Football Reference credits him with 22 pressures. Rousseau leads the Bills in sacks with 5.5. His 12 tackles for loss are more than twice as high as the second-best total on the team. His 18 quarterback hits are double the second-best number on the defense. Rousseau has also added two forced fumbles and two passes defended.
As far as special teams through the first 11 games, the main story line has been the ups and downs of the Bills kicker Tyler Bass.
The high point was a game-winning and franchise-record 61-yard field goal with just five seconds left to complete a season sweep of Miami.
However, Bass has been inconsistent. He is 33-for-37 on extra point attempts this season. The four misses are one shy of the total number of missed point after attempts from his first four seasons combined.
Bass has also struggled with field goal attempts from 40-49 yards. He is 5-of-8 from that range this season for a success rate of 62%. He connected on 83% of those kicks over his first four seasons.
The good news is Bass is 12-for-12 on kicks under 40 yards, and 2-for-2 from 50-plus yards.
The Bills are ranked eighth in punt returns and 15th in kick returns, thanks to the strong presence of rookie Brandon Codrington.
The Bills' punt coverage is ranked 13th, and they are 29th in kick coverage. Sam Martin is ranked 19th in both gross punt average and net punt average.
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