If the Buffalo Bills want to get the win on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams, they need their defense to play better than they have been the last four games. Yes, I know that they played extremely well against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, but one solid game out of four is not impressive.
Their defense is allowing 372.3 yards per game, with a majority of them coming through the air. Part of the reason why is because of inconsistency of the secondary, but you could also talk about how the Bills' pressure upfront is not always there. Granted, they have been solid overall, but they aren't perfect.
With the Rams having the second-best offense in terms of yards per game (417 yards per game), the Bills' defense is going to be in for a very rough game if they don't bring their A-game. However, if defensive tackle Deone Walker can become the difference-maker, it's going to help the Bills’ defensive unit more than you may think.
Deone Walker is Bills' biggest X-factor ahead of Week 5
ESPN's Seth Walder (along with other analysts) wrote different tidbits going into Week 5 games and Walder gave one prediction for each game this week. Walder is predicting that Walker will get a sack at some point on Matthew Stafford. Then, Walder wrote about how Walker is leading all DTs in pressure this season with 15. That's right, 15!
"Bills DT Deone Walker will record a sack. Here's a number that caught me off guard: Walker leads all DTs in pressures this season, with 15. That's the same number as Raiders' Maxx Crosby and Texans' Danielle Hunter. He might just get home against Stafford." Walder wrote.
Walker getting a sack wouldn't be shocking to anyone. However, I believe he will need to do more than just bring Stafford one time. He's going to need to step up against the run and help collapse the middle of the pocket.
Deone Walker has chance to set tone for Bills' defense
The Rams have a very powerful offense, and have the weapons to light up the scoreboard. I seriously doubt that the Bills' defense is going to shut them out, but if Walker is able to set the tone early on and create the interior pressure from start to finish, fans will notice Buffalo gain momentum to get out to a lead which could make the Rams abandon their original gameplan.
It all starts with Walker for the Bills to get off to a fast start on defense. If he does, the Bills will be in great shape to leave LA with a win.
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