We all know the story about the Buffalo Bills right now. While their offense has been electric through six games, the defense is allowing opponents to stay in the game which puts the pressure on Buffalo in each game to truly close out the game in the final minutes (or even seconds) of the game.
Only one of Buffalo's five wins have come by more than a touchdown (Week 2 vs. Lions), which is not what we have seen in recent memory. However, four out of their five wins have featured them putting up 30+ points. So, the games are not close because of the offense; it's because of the defense.
Bills' defense is putting pressure on Buffalo's offense
I get it, it's only Year 1 of a new scheme under Jim Leonhard and there was bound to be growing pains. Usually though after a game or two, you have an understanding of what needs to be fixed. Through six games, we know that the pass-defense that is giving up 285 yards per game is the biggest issue but it has not been improving. It's getting extremely frustrating.
Even though the big picture is that Buffalo's secondary is a major problem, an overlooked factor of this whole situation is how well Buffalo's offensive line has performed when the offense needs to respond and carry the defense.
Buffalo's OL continues to shine as offense covers up defense's mistakes
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus (PFF) released an offensive line rankings going into Week 7 and the Bills are listed at No. 4, improving three spots and only behind Lions, 49ers, and Colts.
"The lowest PFF pass-blocking grade among this group in Week 6 was a tie between both guards at 74.5, and that still tied for 16th at the position this week. Dion Dawkins was fantastic in pass protection again at left tackle, with no pressures allowed from 38 pass-blocking snaps." said McGuiness.
Going up against a Raiders defense that has a star pass rusher in Maxx Crosby, along with other key veterans like Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, Buffalo's offensive line was solid in Week 6 against the Raiders. Overall, they have been a solid group throughout this season in both pass and run protection.
It's rare to see them lose a battle in the trenches, but they aren't perfect either. However, their play this season and coming off two back-to-back wins on the road cannot go unnoticed. This unit has had so much continuity over the last few seasons, even with the departure of David Edwards. Alec Anderson has stepped in nicely and is arguably the Bills' best run-blocker.
With the Bills on their bye week, this is a chance for the unit to rest and heal up because in Week 8, they are in for a big challenge against the Baltimore Ravens in Orchard Park. They should also be hoping that the defense can clean it up and not put all of the pressure on the offense to get the wins.
Add us as a preferred source on Google