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Buffalo Bills: Defense will challenge Seattle Seahawks’ supremacy

By Paul Taylor

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NFL.com believes the Buffalo Bills have the best chance to unseat the Seattle Seahawks as the league’s best defense

The Buffalo Bills have a great defense, but the Seattle Seahawks are currently the standard. This is something that even Bills fans would find it hard to disagree with.

However, just in case there are any arguments, consider that the Seahawks have led the NFL in scoring defense for three consecutive seasons. You have to go back to 1969-71 for the last time this happened, courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings and their “Purple Eating People” defense.

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On top of this, the Seahawks have also allowed the least yards in the league the last two seasons. It really is no surprise they have been able to make it to two straight Super Bowls.

Having said that, the Bills look primed to give Seattle a run for their money this year. Just last season, Buffalo finished fourth in both yardage allowed and scoring defense, and more of the same is expected in 2015.

Bringing in Rex Ryan can’t hurt either, especially with his reputation as a defensive guru. Heck, even last year he was able to produce the sixth-best defense in the NFL, despite the New York Jets finishing with a 4-12 record.

Interestingly, the Bills seem to be getting a lot of love from within the media. Look no further than the recent debate on nfl.com.

Six analysts were asked which NFL team had the best chance of unseating the Seahawks as the league’s best defense. There were shout outs for the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans.

Sep 21, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) tackles San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. San Diego beats Buffalo 22 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

However, it was the Bills who received the most attention, with half of the panel stating they were the team with the most realistic opportunity. (Each of the other teams mentioned got just one vote, including a duel nomination for the Cardinals and Texans, by Adam Schein.)

The first person to show his support for the Bills was Steve Wyche. Among other things, he said: “Buffalo’s front four is as good as it gets in the NFL.

“This quartet gets after the QB and, in the process, forces fumbles. That’s huge.”

Wyche also alluded to Ryan’s blitz-happy schemes: “The linebackers and guys in the secondary will be very aggressive, which will leave them vulnerable, but it also puts them in position to make plays. The Bills were one of the top teams in terms of forcing turnovers last season, and that should not change.”

Respected writer Gill Brandt was the second person to put his money on the Bills: “New head coach Rex Ryan – a defensive mastermind adept at conjuring up effective schemes – and coordinator Dennis Thurman will get this group to outdo even last year’s impressive performance.

“The 2014 Bills led the NFL with 54 sacks and posted more picks (19) than touchdown passes allowed (16), in addition to notching a turnover differential of plus-seven – all stats that point to a pretty good unit.”

The final analyst to put his weight behind Buffalo was Bucky Brooks, who said: “Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes can wreak havoc on opponents on traditional rushes, but Ryan’s ultra-aggressive approach will lead to more one-on-one changes, resulting in more sacks.

“Considering the talent in the secondary (Stephon Gilmore and Aaron Williams), the Bills’ attacking style could produce more takeaways and W’s in Ralph Wilson Stadium this season.’

Ultimately, all the praise in the world doesn’t mean much, if you don’t go out there and produce on the field. However, it sure must feel good for the Bills and their fans to be getting some positive attention from the media for a change.

Next: Bills injury update on LeSean McCoy

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