For the second consecutive week, the Buffalo Bills’ defense gave up 40+ points. However, this week’s performance feels a lot better than last week’s against the Los Angeles Rams. In Week 14, the Buffalo defense was flat and beaten down by Matthew Stafford and the Rams. This game against the Detroit Lions, the Bills completely dominated the Lions in the first half which helped the Bills separate themselves from the Lions in the second half.
The Bills found themselves up by 21 points at one point in the third quarter, winning 35-14 but then the Lions started to wake up and there was a very slim chance that they were going to pull off a comeback. Everytime the Lions cut into the lead, the Bills would break the spirit by answering right back with a scoring drive.
Despite what the score says, this defense for the Bills played much better this week and one big reason why is defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Throughout this season, Oliver has been a major disappointment for the Bills and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich even called out Oliver after last week’s loss. Against the Lions, Oliver by far played like the best defender for the Bills.
Ed Oliver puts on his best performance against perfect opponent
The Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the league and Ed Oliver made two of their linemen look silly. According to Next Gen Stats, Oliver generated a season-high 10 pressures against the Lions which is the most by a defensive tackle this season. Specifically, Oliver was dominating the line of scrimmage against offensive guard Graham Glasgow.
Ed Oliver generated a season-high 10 pressures on 42 pass rushes against the Lions, the most pressures in a game by a defensive tackle this season.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 16, 2024
Oliver had a majority of his pressures (7 of 10) come against Lions left guard Graham Glasgow.#BUFvsDET | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/MDbwdxPL6g
In addition to Glasgow, Oliver also had a nice few bull-rushes on center Frank Ragnow, who is one of the top centers in the league. His presence helped apply pressure on Goff who had to scramble more in this game than he has all season long.
This is the version of Oliver that Bills fans were looking for all season long. Better late than never and it came against one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. With three games remaining before the playoffs arrive, the expectation is that Oliver will continue this play and carry it into the postseason.