Buffalo Bills: Key Takeaways from Week 2 win over Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 15: Jordan Phillips #97 and Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills tackle Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Defense rebounds after rough start

The opening drive for the New York Giants was arguably the worst start the Bills defense could have. The Giants came out and ran the ball five times, four times with Saquon Barkley, and they went 75 yards for the touchdown.

The focus for this defense was to shut down running back Barkley, which is easier said than done. The fact that he came out and ran for 55 yards on the opening drive could have been an indication that the Bills defense was going to struggle to contain him.

However, after that drive this defense did an excellent job containing the star running back. He was only able to pick up 52 more yards the rest of the game, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.

The Bills had one of the pass defense last year but the run defense lagged a bit behind. However, after holding Le’Veon Bell and Saquon Barkley to a combined 167 rushing yards, there is no question that the run defense matches what this team can do defending the pass.

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