Bills defense shockingly named top unit in NFL
Context:
The Buffalo Bills have been ranked as the third-best defensive unit in the NFL by Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, despite past criticisms of their performance in crucial games. Historically, their defense has been seen as a weak point, particularly during playoff matches against the Kansas City Chiefs, where they have allowed high scores. In response, the Bills have focused on strengthening their defensive front-seven by acquiring notable players such as Joey Bosa and drafting promising talents like Maxwell Hairston and T.J. Sanders. The team has also bolstered their defensive line with additions like Landon Jackson and Deone Walker, aiming to eliminate their postseason defensive lapses. While there is optimism about their improved defensive lineup, the Bills still need to demonstrate their capability to perform under high-pressure situations to validate their high ranking.
Dive Deeper:
The Buffalo Bills have been ranked as the third-best defensive unit in the NFL for the upcoming season, despite their defense being a major factor in past playoff failures.
Historically, the Bills' defense has underperformed in critical playoff games, particularly against the Kansas City Chiefs, where they have allowed significant scores despite offensive efforts.
To address these issues, the Bills have prioritized strengthening their defensive front-seven by signing edge-rusher Joey Bosa in free agency and making strategic picks in the draft.
Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston was their first draft pick, followed by interior lineman T.J. Sanders and edge-rusher Landon Jackson, showcasing a focus on defensive line enhancements.
The team has also solidified their linebacker and secondary units with players like Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, and Taron Johnson, aiming to create a robust defensive structure.
While optimism surrounds the new lineup, the Bills' defense must prove its capability in high-stakes games to justify their high ranking and potentially secure a Super Bowl appearance.
Despite the improvements, the Bills' defense has yet to show consistent performance in the postseason, having allowed the Chiefs to score 30 points last season and conceding 40 points in consecutive games in 2024.
Every year, it feels like the Buffalo Bills get to the door of the Super Bowl, pound on the door, and get no answer. The largest reason for that, in the mind of many, is that their defense routinely no-shows the biggest games of the year.
Even so, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report ranked the Buffalo Bills' defense as the No. 3 unit in the NFL.
"The Buffalo Bills made the defensive front-seven a priority in the offseason, first by adding edge-rusher Joey Bosa in free agency and then by blasting away at the front in the 2025 draft," Davenport writes. "The secondary got addressed first in the draft in Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, but from there Hairston hit the defensive line—hard. Buffalo traded up for interior lineman T.J. Sanders. Brought in edge-rusher Landon Jackson in Round 3. And made it three D-Linemen in a row in Round 4 with tackle Deone Walker. The Bills were already well set-up defensively, whether it was Greg Rousseau outside, an excellent trio of linebackers in Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams or a defensive backfield that includes one of the NFL’s pre-eminent slot players in cornerback Taron Johnson. Defensive lapses have long haunted the Bills in the postseason. But this squad could be the one that finally puts Buffalo over the top—and into the Super Bowl."
As Davenport said, the Bills' defense has constantly been what has held them back from getting over the hump. In their four losses to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, Buffalo's offense has averaged over 28 points per game, and yet haven't come out victorious - that falls on the defense. They were the only defense to allow the Chiefs to score 30 points last season, and they allowed 40 points in consecutive games in 2024. This isn't a unit worthy of this ranking until they prove that they are.
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