6 defensive players who need to shine for Bills in Week 2 vs. Dolphins

This AFC East matchup against this high flying Miami Dolphins is a critical one for this Bills defense. They had a slightly rough first half against the Arizona Cardinals. Some of that is due to Taron Johnson going down on their first defensive drive. Because Johnson has been ruled out, there are some key players that need to step up and show out

Cam Lewis

Cam Lewis came in to replace Taron Johnson, and for the most part, filled in well. The Cardinals offense are a good rushing offense, but the Dolphins are potentially a better offense. To fill that slot cornerback role that Johnson plays so well, Lewis needs to fit the run very well as well as the slot receivers. A tall task that Lewis had shown he was capable enough last week against the Cardinals, needs to be shown again against the Dolphins.

Terrel Bernard

Bernard was named a team captain for a reason. He is the quarterback of the defense, and he needs to replicate his success he had in 2023. Taking on the dynamic speed of the Dolphins is critical, especially in the middle of the field, whether it's against the run or the pass. Bernard needs to step up big against this Miami offense, whether he is making plays himself or setting up the defense to succeed by being the captain he is.

Greg Rousseau

Rousseau had a phenomenal Week 1 outing. He recorded three sacks, one being a strip sack that resulted in a turnover. If he carries this success into week two, he will shut down this Dolphins defense. Not just by getting to the quarterback, but also setting the edge as a run defender, which he has been known to be elite at.

Rasul Douglas

The veteran cornerback who was traded to the Bills last year at the trade deadline has been a revelation for this passing defense. Along with Rousseau, Douglas had a great outing in Week 1. He will be tested guarding one of the most dynamic receivers in Tyreek Hill. He has to slow down Hill and his running mate Jaylen Waddle, because there is no shutting down this type of speed.

Christian Benford

A lot of the things that Douglas needs to do are the same things that Benford has to do as well. Both players were hardly targeted in their Week 1 matchup, and when they were, they didn't allow hardly anything. Unfortunately, Benford was in coverage on the Michael Wilson touchdown, but he was very close to either breaking up that pass or intercepting it. Because both Douglas and Benford are so instinctual in coverage, they should be able to slow down the Dolphins offense. That is why Benford, along with Douglas, need to bring their A-Game.

Ed Oliver

One of the only players to not create a lot on defense in Week 1 was Ed Oliver. In order to disrupt Tua and this timing based offense, there needs to be pressure coming from the middle of the defense. That is where Oliver comes in. Hopefully Oliver can wreak havoc on this Dolphins interior offensive line, which helps Oliver because it is one of their weakest units. Oliver needs to have a bounce back game and show that his 9.5 sack season in 2023 wasn't a fluke.