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Buffalo Bills: 3 areas to improve over second half of 2020 season

By Brandon Croce

Nov 1, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss (20) is pushed into the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss (20) is pushed into the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (37) breaks the tackle attempt of Buffalo Bills strong safety Dean Marlowe (31) during the fourth quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Run Defense

While the Buffalo Bills defense as a whole has taken a step backward, the run defense has to be the bigger concern for this team and the coaching staff. At this point in the season, the Bills have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (134.5). This is 30 more yards per game than what the Bills were allowing last year (130.1).

It is hard to pinpoint exactly where the issue lies but it may start upfront. The Bills lost a number of defensive linemen before the season including Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips in free agency while Star Lotulelei elected to opt-out of the season due to concerns around the pandemic.

The absence of Lotulelei could be the biggest reason because he was a player that could anchor the middle of this defensive line. While he didn’t show up as much on the stat sheet, what he did allow the players around him like Tremaine Edmunds to be successful in getting to the ball carrier quickly.

The Buffalo Bills likely will continue to try and rotate players through while trying to find an answer. The team has used a number of defensive tackles like Harrison Phillips, Justin Zimmer, Vernon Butler, and last week Brandin Bryant. This will likely continue and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them look at potential free agents to help here.

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