Buffalo Bills: 3 areas the defense needs to improve after disappointing start

Sep 27, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) rushes Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) as offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) blocks in the first quarter of a game at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) rushes Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) as offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) blocks in the first quarter of a game at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills
Sep 27, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Josh Reynolds (11) leaps over the tackle attempt of Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) while running with the ball during the third quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Second half defense

This goes hand in hand with the previous point as the Buffalo Bills have been able to build double digit leads in each of their first three games. They were able to get up by as much as 25 points on the Los Angeles Rams this past week.

The big lead forces the opposition to start throwing more and they have found success and the past two weeks the Bills opponents have taken fourth quarter leads. In fact, the Buffalo Bills have given up 10 touchdowns this season, eight of which have come in the second half.

One of the biggest philosophy changes for the Buffalo Bills this year has been how aggressive they have been on offense with the lead. In three games, Josh Allen has thrown the ball 71 times with the lead which is just over half the total of pass attempts with the lead last year (137 attempts).

There needs to be some kind of balance for the offense where they don’t take their foot off the pedal but also extend drives and shorten the game with the lead with their run game. By finding this balance, it should help the defense because the opposition is going to have fewer chances to score to get back into the game.