Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills are coming off their worst defensive performance in years, and maybe their worst defensive performance under head coach Sean McDermott.
The Los Angeles Rams, led offensively by quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, lit the Buffalo defense up like a Christmas tree in this past Sunday's 44-42 win.
Just a bad day at the office for the Bills defense, or a warning shot of what's to come?
McDermott's defenses have been so good and consistent over seven years, he deserves the benefit of the doubt to say it was just a bad day. However, the numbers say the Bills could have more problems ahead.
The Bills are making a living off turnovers on defense. They have forced 17 on the season, which is tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in the NFL. Turnovers are great to have, and some teams can maintain that level for an entire year, but it's a volatile way to make a living.
What we saw last week was the first game of the year where the Bills did not force a turnover, and it resulted in the most points given up all season. Before the last play of the game, the Bills only forced one punt the entire contest.
In a few statistical categories that are not turnover related, the Bills defense is near the bottom of the league. Here's where they rank in some very important metrics:
- Yards per-play: 17th
- Third down conversion %: 26th
- Yards per-rush: 26th
While third down defense and rush defense have been down all year, the other areas of the Bills defense are regressing in the last two months.
Since Week 9, this is where the Bills rank in defensive categories, compared to the Detroit Lions, their Sunday opponent on offense:
The Bills defense is just getting linebacker Matt Milano back. It's only been two games, and there is a potential for better results if he returns to All-Pro form, or close to it.
Buffalo's defensive line was abused in Los Angeles. Now they are getting Dawuane Smoot back from injury.
The Bills' line has not really been together all year. First, Von Miller got suspended, then Smoot went down, not to mention DeWayne Carter missing time with a wrist injury.
Now we'll get a chance to see if the results can be any better in the run game and the pass rush now that they're at full force.
Either from getting healthier on the defensive line or Matt Milano giving them a boost, the Bills will likely need to find a way to get defensive stops. Living on turnovers is living on the wire.
The Bills defense still has to prove they can be a top defense, even if they can't force an interception or fumble in a game against a top offense.
It's only going to be a stiff test on Sunday against one of the league's top offenses in Detroit. They'll be motivated to respond well after getting embarrassed in Los Angeles.
Right now, it's being viewed as "just a bad day," following the loss to the Rams.
If they do it again in Detroit, the story in town is going to quickly flip to "the Bills defense has a problem."