Buffalo’s defense has been not-so-great through the first four weeks, and that’s being nice. Let’s face it, the unit has been the team’s achilles heel and unless they either make a dramatic schematic change or make some additions, you could argue that the Bills will lose games because of them.
The good news is that they have done just enough in crucial moments to help the Bills get to 4-0 on the season. However, that won’t last forever.
This coming Sunday night, the Bills will host the 2-2 New England Patriots, who are coming a 42-13 win over the Carolina Panthers. New England is averaging 25 points per game through the first month and Buffalo is giving up 22 points per game up to this point. If the Bills want to not be so Josh Allen-dependent to win this Sunday night, there are multiple defensive Bills players who will need to make an impact right away.
4 players on Bills' defense who need to step up vs. Patriots
DE Joey Bosa
The version that we are seeing from Joey Bosa is what Bills fans were hoping for. He’s stayed on the field, been utilized correctly, and has been one of Buffalo’s best players overall. He leads the lead in forced fumbles (4) and has been causing pressure against the pass and run.
Drake Maye is hitting his stride in his second season so far. Bosa will have the chance to bring down the hype by pressuring Maye in the pocket.
LB Terrel Bernard
The captain of the defense continues to earn the respect of everyone on the team and in the community. Terrel Bernard has done nothing but make plays since he became a starter and he is the one who leads this defense in big moments.
New England has established a bit of a passing attack and has always been able to run the ball. Bernard will be tasked to keep an eye on everything when the Patriots line up on offense.
DT DaQuan Jones
Buffalo’s run defense has been atrocious up to this point in the season and they cannot afford to let New England control the trenches and run the ball. That’s where someone like DaQuan Jones has to set the tone up front and create a mess to stop the Patriots from opening up running lanes.
It’s more than just Jones, but being the experienced veteran he is, he needs to step up in a big way for this defense against the Pats.
Whoever covers WR Stefon Diggs
The biggest headline coming into this game is wide receiver Stefon Diggs making his return to Buffalo for the first time since being traded away to the Houston Texans last offseason. After spending four seasons with the Bills, all good things had to come to an end. He tore his ACL last season and then signed with the Patriots.
Diggs has improved each week this season and he had his breakout game last week with 6 catches for 101 yards. He has yet to get his first touchdown of the season, but don’t think he won’t be looking to do so against his former team.
Wherever Diggs lines up on the field, the defender that is covering him will have to contain him. Whether it’s Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Dorian Strong, Tre’Davious White, whoever it is, they will have to keep him limited from doing anything against this vulnerable defense.