Buffalo Bills: Key Takeaways from Week 2 win over Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 15: Dawson Knox #88 celebrates with Frank Gore #20 of the Buffalo Bills after Gore's touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 15: Dawson Knox #88 celebrates with Frank Gore #20 of the Buffalo Bills after Gore's touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 15: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants passes the ball during the second quarter of the game against the against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 15: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants passes the ball during the second quarter of the game against the against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Defensive line showing great awareness

Another trend that has continued from the first game is how disruptive the Bills defensive line has been in the passing game. After the line had four pass breakups in Week 1, the line responded with four more pass breakups against the Giants, led by Harrison Phillips with two.

In the first half though, the Bills defensive line had the play of the game when Ed Oliver knocked down a pass by Eli Manning that bounced up in the air and was intercepted by Trent Murphy. The Giants had been driving and were close to the red zone before that play, however the pick ensured they couldn’t cut into the Bills’ lead just before halftime.

There is no question that the addition of Ed Oliver, along with the improved play of Trent Murphy, has drastically helped this line from a season ago. The awareness these players have shown by stopping their rush when the quarterback is about to throw and getting into throwing lanes has been tremendous.

These are little plays that add up over the course of the game and really has an impact on the game.