Breaking down the D-Line

Sep 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Alex Carrington (92) leaves the field on a cart during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills have had issues with the defensive line this year and injuries.  This can be a concern as it has seems that when the defensive line plays and produces well, the Bills will win.  I know that we are only 3 games into the season but the stats don’t lie at this point.

In the first game, the Buffalo Bills came extremely close to pulling off an upset against the New England Patriots.  The defensive line played very well here and this should have been win for the Bills.  I attribute the loss to the coaching staff and management of the clock in the 4th quarter, not to the defensive line.  The defensive line was able to get to Brady 2 of the 3 times the the Bills were able to sack Brady.   Dareus and Hughes both had a half of a sack and Kyle Williams came away with 1.  Searcy was the other to get a sack.

Against the Panthers, the Bills were able to get to Cam Newton a total of 6 times.  Mario Williams turned into Super Mario and recorded 4.5 sacks and set a franchise record.  Dareus was able to come away with a half of a sack and Alonso had the other sack.  So Through 2 games, of which both should have been wins, the D-Line records 7 of the teams 9 sacks.

Against the Jets in week 3 the defensive line or anyone, else for that matter, on the defense was able to meet up with Geno Smith and record a sack.  There was no pressure on Smith.  Yes, the Bills should have won the game as the Jets played horrible as well, but not as bad as the Bills.  I guarantee that if the Bills got back to Smith and caused some pressure, the Jets would not have scored 27 points and the outcome would have been very different.

Losing Carrington for the season is a big loss even though he did not have any sacks through the three games, but he did create pressure and was a dominant run stopper.  Dareus is hurt with an ankle injury and Mario Williams is also hurt with an ankle injury.  Both are expected to play this Sunday.  So this puts more pressure on the defensive line to produce.

If the Defensive line does not get pressure and get sacks, then the Buffalo Bills are basically dead in the water.  There “two” wins, and I’m calling the Patriots a win, recorded 7 of the 9 team sacks through the D-Line.  They have to get pressure to have a chance at winning games.  It’ is as simple as that.