While the Buffalo Bills changed their defensive scheme under first-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard this season, it started out rough. The secondary was lacking in the back end, with poor communication and a tendency to give up big plays.
The run-defense, however, improved immediately, going from 28th in 2025 to 7th in 2026. As the Bills continued to limit other teams' ability to run the football, they decided during the last two games to be more aggressive with their pass rush and blitzing to pressure the quarterback.
This recent change has been led by OLB Greg Rousseau, whose athleticism and pressure are already being showcased better than during his time in the Sean McDermott scheme.
How Bills' defense improved over last two games
As the Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 36-10 in Week 8, the defense, despite facing third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano, registered four total sacks. Three of them were recorded on the rookie from UConn.
Rousseau, Landon Jackson, Cole Bishop, and rookie T.J. Parker all laid the hit, but Rousseau's early first hit of quarterback Lamar Jackson forced the starter to leave the game early with a thumb injury.
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun posted his first career interception late in the second quarter when safety Geno Stone disrupted a pass from Fagnano, permitting the rookie to snag it. The defense would then showcase fumble recoveries by linebackers Dorian Williams and Kaleb Elarms-Orr.
Let's move on to the Minnesota Vikings' Week 9 game on Monday Night Football, where the Bills' defense played even better.
In a Monday night interconference battle between two 6-1 teams, the Bills' defense looked like the better unit than the Vikings' No.1 ranked defense in the league. On offense, the Bills wore down the Vikings' defenders by running the ball hard and controlling the clock once they got past the first-half.
The Bills kept Carson Wentz out of the end zone, sacking him twice in the game by Rousseau and EDGE rusher Javon Solomon.
Wentz was also picked off twice, first by linebacker Dorian Williams on a pass intended for tight end T.J. Hockenson at the Bills' 11-yard line, and then by linebacker Terrel Bernard on a slant route intended for wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the second half.
Overall, Wentz felt the heat all day, was limited to 81 passing yards, and was picked off twice. The Bills' defense also held the Vikings to 0 for 8 on third downs, and rookie cornerback Igbinosun led the secondary by locking down star wideout Jefferson step for step in man coverage.
How new trade acquisition Amani Hooker will help Bills' defense
The Bills received even better news as, right before the Tuesday NFL trade deadline, the team made a significant upgrade to their secondary by trading for former Tennessee Titans star Amani Hooker.
The Titans' star safety has been the lone bright spot in their abysmal 1-7 start to the season, leading the league with five interceptions and also an effective tackler in stopping the run.
This helps the Bills improve their defense immediately, as they can line Hooker up as a traditional coverage safety to force turnovers, while also strengthening their top-ten run defense by playing him in the box.
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