Lorenzo Alexander and Zach Brown Enter MNF Among League’s Best
By Ryan Brennan
At the halfway point of the season, both Zach Brown and Lorenzo Alexander find themselves at the top of some of the league’s best.
The Buffalo Bills will head to Seattle on Monday night with two of the league’s best defensive players as they play the final game of Week 9.
After eight games, both Zach Brown and Lorenzo Alexander are having breakout seasons that include leading the league in tackles and sacks, respectively. As they prepare for Seattle, they have
Before we get to their achievements this year, let’s first talk about how they became starters for the Buffalo Bills — because they weren’t originally intended to start.
First, it was the surgery that forced the Bills to place Shaq Lawson on the PUP list — forcing him to be sidelined for an extended period of time. Coupled with the release of Manny Lawson, Lorenzo Alexander somehow found himself in that “next man up” role.
He has ran with it ever since.
Next, it was the unexpected torn ACL that ended Reggie Ragland‘s rookie season before it even started. With a missing piece in the defense, Zach Brown was the “next man up” for the Bills. Much like Alexander, he’s done great ever since.
After 8 games of the regular season, Lorenzo Alexander finds himself at the top of the league in sacks. He has tallied a total of 9.0 sacks on the year, which is 0.5 more than Von Miller (DEN) who is right on his tail. Behind him, both Vic Beasley Jr. (ATL) and Cliff Avril (SEA) have 7.5 on the season.
He recently sustained a hamstring injury that caused him to miss most of Week 8 vs. the Patriots, but he remains optimistic on playing Monday Night vs. Seattle.
On the other hand, we have Zach Brown — who has continued to prove his tackling ability and intelligence. He has totaled 87 tackles on the year, which is 13 more than Luke Kuechly (CAR) and Tahir Whitehead (DET) who are in second.
Zach Brown has no injuries reported this week, so he will have his hands full with Christine Michael and Russell Wilson this week. As he has shown all year, it should be another solid week for the young linebacker.
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Before the regular season started, many people thought this year’s linebacker corps was going to be the weakest part of this defense. However, they’ve consistently been the strongest part of this defense with the help of Preston Brown and Jerry Hughes — who are also having very strong seasons.
Now, it’s time to continue the great play vs. the Seattle Seahawks and head into the bye week with a winning record, instead of a losing one.
Plus, the whole nation will be watching.
I have faith that the Bills can get it done. What do you think?