Does the improved pass rush make the impact the Buffalo Bills hoped it would?
After the AFC Championship Game last year, the Buffalo Bills knew one of the areas they really had to improve was getting pressure on the opposing quarterback. They really couldn’t disrupt Patrick Mahomes in the pocket and he was able to keep their offense on track.
The point to improve this was magnified even more in the Super Bowl as the Bucs did a good job of pressuring Mahomes and the Chiefs offense was not productive.
The Buffalo Bills front office recognized this and made it a point to improve in the offseason. They used their first two picks in the 2021 NFL Draft on the defensive line with Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham as well as signed free agent Efe Obada.
These additions, along with improvements by second-year pass rusher A.J. Epenesa, have helped this defense get more consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback. Through four games, the Bills have 12 sacks, which is tied for sixth in the league.
The Chiefs meanwhile saw the same thing everyone else in the NFL did and they made it a point to revamp their offensive line. This is going to be a great battle in the trenches and if the Bills can get pressure, this will go a long way in giving them a good chance to win.