Buffalo Bills: 5 keys to victory vs. Denver Broncos in Week 10

Buffalo Bills v Cincinnati Bengals
Buffalo Bills v Cincinnati Bengals / Jeff Dean/GettyImages
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5.) Create pressure on Russell Wilson

This should be the obvious one, seeing as how Russell Wilson is being sacked on average 3 times a game this season, including being sacked atleast once in every single game. The Bills’ pass rush, while still creating pressure, has not provided it consistently like they have earlier in the season. This defensive unit was getting to the quarterback early and often to start the season. Lately, it has been a different story.

On Sunday night against the Bengals, there were a handful of times in which the Bills would send five to six defenders at Joe Burrow but no one put pressure which opened up the field for Burrow. That cannot happen again against Wilson. It either needs to be rushing no more than four, or the blitzer has to fly in immediately and break the pocket. No matter how it is done, the Buffalo defense will need to put the pressure on the pass and force the Broncos to go to the run game.

4.) Contain running back Jaleel McLaughlin

While the Broncos have a running back group with guys like Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, the young back in Jaleel McLaughlin serves as a double threat to the Bills’ defense. He can not only run the ball, but catch passes out of the backfield as well. Despite McLaughlin only carrying the ball 38 times, he is averaging 7 yards a carry. On the receiving end, he is getting over 5 yards a catch as a back.

For some reason, the Bills tend to let under-the-radar players make the big plays and that is who McLaughlin is. If the defense can take away McLaughlin’s ability to be a playmaker and help open up the field, it should come down to the passing game on Wilson’s shoulders.