Buffalo Bills’ Over/Under: 3 defensive/special teams touchdowns
By Ryan Brennan
The Buffalo Bills managed to score three defensive touchdowns last season. Can the team improve on that in 2017?
Do you remember all three of those touchdowns last season? They came in Weeks 2, 3 and 5, but sadly none appeared in the final 11 games of the season. It’s also unfortunate that the only two players to achieve a defensive touchdown for the Buffalo Bills last year are no longer on the team.
In Week 2, Nickell Robey-Coleman returned a fumble recovery for a 36-yard touchdown with 11:15 left in the 3rd quarter. It was an important touchdown, putting the Buffalo Bills up on the New York Jets 24-20 after a made extra point by Dan Carpenter — shocker.
The Jets would go on to defeat the Bills 37-31 and led to the firing of offensive coordinator Greg Roman — Anthony Lynn was then promoted to OC.
In the following week vs. the Arizona Cardinals, the Bills’ defense struck again with a botched field goal late in the third quarter. Buffalo was already leading 23-7, but the Cardinals were in field goal territory. On 4th and 1, Carson Palmer was given a delay of penalty, leading to the field goal unit to come out.
When that happened, all hell broke loose. The ball went backwards, several Bills’ players (including Robey-Coleman I believe) went chasing after it. Aaron Williams — a fan favorite who was released this offseason and still looking for a home — ended up grabbing it for a 56-yard touchdown, putting the Buffalo Bills up 30-7.
The rest of that game was quite strange. The Cardinals would answer back with a touchdown before the start of the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals kicked a field goal and threw four interceptions, while the Bills kicked a field, punted twice and gave up a safety. Buffalo started a four-game winning streak with a 33-18 victory.
Lastly, Nickell Robey-Coleman found the endzone for a second time vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5 — their third of four straight victories. Ironically, it’s the team that Robey-Coleman will be joining this season.
More from BuffaLowDown
- Buffalo Bills were ready to trade back if they couldn’t get Dalton Kincaid
- Grading Buffalo Bills drafting Dalton Kincaid in 2023 NFL Draft
- How the Buffalo Bills can win Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft
- Buffalo Bills having conversations about trading for DeAndre Hopkins
- Buffalo Bills Draft Rumors: Bills linked to this shocking first round target
This time, he found the endzone after intercepting Case Keenum. The game was tied at 16, but the 41-yard touchdown put the Bills up 23-16. After a late touchdown in the fourth quarter putting them up 30-19, Buffalo sealed the deal.
Heading into 2017, is it possible for the new squad to make it to the endzone 4 times? Whether they do or don’t, it will definitely be needed. With their three in 2016, Buffalo ranked tied-7th in the NFL — with Eagles, Giants, Panthers, Cardinals. The 7 teams that did better than them were Vikings (4), Broncos (4), Buccaneers (4), Falcons (5), Chiefs (5) and Chargers (5).
8 teams finished the 2016 season with 0 defensive touchdowns — that list includes PATRIOTS and JETS. The DOLPHINS finished with 1, meaning the Bills had more than the AFC East combined. You’re welcome.
I still think the team can improve on that number in 2017 and that’s mainly due to punt/kickoff return touchdowns. The Buffalo Bills didn’t get any last season, but they weren’t alone. Only 7 teams got a kickoff return TD in 2016 and 9 teams got a punt return touchdown — with the Titans returning 2 for a TD. Only one team got one of each, being the Houston Texans.
I think the Buffalo Bills can join that list next season, while also getting 2 INT return TD and one fumble return TD, for a total of 4 defensive/special teams touchdowns in 2017.
Next: My take on the Stephon Gilmore beef
How many touchdowns do you see the Buffalo Bills scoring through defense/special teams in 2017? Leave your predictions below!