4.) Greg Rousseau
Earlier in the season, the Bills’ edge rushers in Leonard Floyd and Greg Rousseau were collapsing pockets and creating pressure all game long. That however, has not been the case recently. The Bills are failing to come off the edge to make the quarterback scramble and Rousseau has been one of the non-contributors for the defense. Rousseau had three sacks in the first four weeks of the season, but since then has not been able to get the quarterback.
Rousseau only recorded one tackle, but was able to get two quarterback hits. The defensive line overall has struggled in recent weeks, and now they will go up against teams like the Jets, Eagles, and Chiefs, all of who have a stable offensive line which could setback the defense once again.
3.) Ed Oliver
Much like Rousseau, Ed Oliver’s name was not called much against the Bengals. He only managed to record two total tackles and was part of a unit that allowed key runs at crucial moments for the Bengals, which ultimately ended up hurting the Bills’ defense, especially on the Bengals’ last offensive drives. Even though the Bengals only managed to gain 54 yards of rushing, the interior part of the defensive line of Oliver, Jordan Phillips, Tim Settle and newly signed Linval Joseph was not able to create pressure in the pocket, or allowed Burrow to scramble to the outside.
Again, much like Rousseau, Oliver was dominant in the beginning games where it seemed like he was in the backfield every other play and causing disruption. He will need to step up in the upcoming games of Buffalo’s schedule and help bring some stability to a defensive unit that has been below average for over a month.