Last Sunday against the Jaguars, the defense for the Buffalo Bills played solid but there is still room for improvement. They will be going up against a Denver Broncos offense that wasn’t dynamite, but they did enough to get some wins this season. There were four times this season where Denver didn’t score 20+ points, yet they went 4-0 in those games.
So really, that should say more about Denver’s defense and how they performed. Even though Denver’s defense is their strongest unit, the Bills cannot let Bo Nix and the offense walk up and down the field.
Buffalo’s biggest weakness this season is stopping the run, that’s obvious. Denver averaged 118.7 yards per game on the ground, which was in the middle of the pack so nothing special. However, the Bills have had very little to no success stopping any team’s rushing attack.
The pass-defense is solid, but overall, the defense has to bring their A-game and keep pressure off of Josh Allen and the offense.
Bills' defensive players who have to play big time vs. Broncos
DE Joey Bosa
In the Wild Card game against Jacksonville, Joey Bosa was arguably the worst defender for Buffalo. He didn’t record one single tackle and there was even a time where he was blocked by wide receiver Jakobi Meyers at the line of scrimmage that put him on the ground. In addition, he didn’t do a great job at containment off the edge, both in and out.
Bosa has to be way better at pressuring Bo Nix and not allowing Denver to move down the field. Even if he just forces Nix to throw a bad pass that would be better than what he did last Sunday.
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LB Matt Milano
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Buffalo’s defense is better with Matt Milano on the field and that still remains the same going into Saturday.
Whether it’s against the run or in pass coverage, Milano is going to play a key role in taking away the middle of the field for the Broncos. Whether it’s Terrel Bernard or Shaq Thompson playing alongside, Milano is the most valuable linebacker the Bills have.
CB Christian Benford
It was a bit of a rough game for Benford last week. He gave up a 4th quarter touchdown to Parker Washington that gave the Jaguars the lead at one point and his coverage was off point.
Denver’s wide receivers aren’t anything too special, but Benford has to improve his play to make sure that the Broncos can’t pass on Buffalo’s secondary.
CB Tre'Davious White
Unlike Benford, Tre’Davious White looked like he was back in his prime with his coverage and playmaking abilities. He didn’t give up any big time plays and he was the one that tipped Trevor Lawrence’s final throw that eventually landed in the hands of Cole Bishop to end Jacksonville’s season.
White has to pick up where he left off and keep this secondary playing at a high level. If the Bills get ahead of Denver, the Broncos are going to have to throw the ball and that could test the secondary.