Buffalo Bills: Among the best front sevens in all of football in 2018
The Buffalo Bills struggled in the standings but it was clear that the defense was a strength for the team throughout the 2018 season.
The Buffalo Bills looked like an all-around disaster through the first two games of the 2018 season. Then the defense rebounded and became one of the best in the NFL.
The Bills finished second overall in the NFL in terms of total defense, allowing only 294.1 yards per game. Baltimore was first at 292.9 yards per game.
The Bills defense was also first in pass defense at 179.2 yards per game. The run defense was No. 16 overall at 114.9 yards per game.
It was clear as the year went on that the defense was the reason the team remained in so many games. The problem was the offense making so many mistakes and not moving the ball down the field at times, giving opposing offenses short fields to work with or even free points.
A recent article on Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 front sevens in the NFL and the Bills showed up at No. 8 overall. This makes perfect sense given where the team ranked among the rest of the NFL in total defense.
The defense was second in the league with 24 forced fumbles and tied for seventh with 16 interceptions.
This unit was playoff-worthy if paired with a better offense, so that should give fans hope heading into next season. Drafting Tremaine Edmunds as the leader of the defense was a great move and he should only improve upon what was a great rookie season.
The only real loss up front is that of Kyle Williams, although Harrison Phillips is a solid replacement. Drafting someone like Ed Oliver in the first round would shore up the line as well.
Next. A chat with Pancho Billa about his fandom and whirlwind 2018. dark
The final scores in some games may have some fans feeling like the defense was a major disappointment in 2018. But the numbers and rankings say otherwise.