Buffalo Bills: 3 top takeaways from Week 6 loss to Kansas City Chiefs

Buffalo Bills defense needs Matt Milano back

Speaking of Matt Milano, If one thing was obvious for the Bills defense, aside from their sheer inability to stop the run, was the absence of him

For the better part of his career, Matt Milano has been one of the standout players of the Buffalo Bills defense. Though, an argument for him being the most important after two weeks and two consecutive losses is an extremely valid one.

Known for his excellent tackling efforts and pass coverage, his position at outside linebacker has been a tremendous weakness for the Bills. The linebacking position was exposed by Tennessee last week with throws over the middle of the field and the two rushing touchdowns posted by Derrick Henry shows how crucial Milano is to not only the success of the defense but the success of the team in general.

Now in his third season with the Bills, Milano has recorded a career 246 tackles though his five interceptions are what makes him such a unique talent. Paired alongside Tremaine Edmunds, who is seen as a more traditional linebacker, Miano’s ability to produce in the zone and man coverage has been tragically missed. Milano’s presence in pass protection normally would allow some pressure to be taken away from nickel-cornerback, Taron Johnson, or in Tuesday’s case Cam Lewis, though they have been repeatedly attacked.

His absence provides another looming concern which is his pending availability at the end of the 2021 season. With so much money tied up into rotational pieces such as A.J. Klein who is locked for three years at $18 million, casualties may need to be made to accommodate an extension for Milano.