The Buffalo Bills head into Week 6 for a Monday Night Football battle against the Atlanta Falcons. Coming off a 23-20 loss against the New England Patriots, their first one of the season, the Bills will look to bounce back before their bye week.
Even though the Bills are coming into this game as the better team, there is still a lot to be concerned about for this team going up against Atlanta.
3 concerns for the Bills going into Week 6 primetime battle
Linebacker woes
The Buffalo Bills have a linebacker problem. It isn't exactly new news, but it's certainly got an update. After missing two and a half games with a pectoral injury, Matt Milano made his triumphant return (for the fourth time) against the Patriots, and subsequently reinjured himself and was removed from the game. This week, Sean McDermott said Milano was 'week-to-week', having tweaked his pec again.
This tale, rapidly becoming older than time itself, is one that Buffalo cannot bear repeating yet again. This team is one year removed from a playoff run hampered by defensive injuries, and another year removed from their playoff run in which they had to start a freshly-signed AJ Klein. Being unable to count on the health of their linebackers and other defensive stars has cost them greatly, especially in the postseason, and it has begun again.
With Matt Milano injured, and typical spot-starter Dorian Williams missing time with an injury of his own, the buck has fallen to veteran LB Shaq Thompson, signed in July, and other practice squad players. It is not where the Bills hoped to be. It is, perhaps, where they expected to be.
Buffalo knew what they had in Matt Milano when they drafted him; Now, they know they no longer have the guarantee of either elite performance or health. The team cut a chunk of his contract in re-negotiations early this offseason, making this a contract year and shedding most of their future obligations to him. They've proven themselves correct already.
But behind him, they failed to adapt, or replace. The team committed to Terrel Bernard, which has paid dividends, but the outside linebacker slot is a problem for this season and beyond. The only other linebackers contracted beyond this season are Dorian Williams and Joe Andreessen, in the final years of their respective deals. The team is limited in depth for 2025 once again, and has no clear plan for 2026 and beyond.
Dismal run-defense
Against the Atlanta Falcons, the Buffalo Bills' run defense has an opportunity to get right, but there's no reason to believe they will. What started the season as a statistical weak point has developed into an overwhelming hole in the defense.
The Buffalo Bills have allowed 5.6 yards per rush attempt through Week 5, tied-2nd worst in the NFL. They also hold the dubious honour of owning the league's 2nd-worst rushing first down rate, at 45.65%. That dismal mark is only worsened when we find that the Bills' allowed rushing touchdown rate is 53.85%, better than only three other teams.
It's all made worse when we remember how difficult run defense seemed for the Buffalo Bills in 2024. We noticed that every single mark they currently hold this season is substantially worse than their stats from a year ago.
2025 (Weeks 1-5) | 2024 Season | |
|---|---|---|
YPRA Allowed | 5.6 | 4.6 |
Rushing 1D Allowed % | 46.65% | 32.62% |
Rush TD Allowed % | 53.85% | 33.33% |
This defensive lie group, which has few standouts, seems to consistently struggle in a major area. Teams rely on the run against the Buffalo Bills because it works, and this new personnel group is flailing.
Undisciplined football...again
Buffalo does a lot of things right and, so far this season, discipline had been one of them. Following Week 3, the team had the fewest penalties in the NFL. That is no longer the case.
In each of their past two games, the Saints and Patriots, the Bills have had 11 penalties accepted against them. In just two weeks, their margin went from league-best to bog-standard. It's a shocking unraveling of what was a core facet of this organization. Consistency like this indicates an issue beyond gameday theatrics, and the team must be better. Not just on the penalty issue, but on the concept of discipline itself.
Top WR Keon Coleman missed the Bills opening drive on Sunday due to a disciplinary issue. The team fumbled their ball on that drive, Keon Coleman came in and was targeted twice for no catches, and then fumbled his third target for a turnover. If the team cannot get themselves in order, this could hurt them all season.