Grading Buffalo Bills defense against Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2

For the second week in a row, the defense for the Buffalo Bills showed the NFL that they are a unit that no one should underestimate. If you take out the run defense performance off of two big runs last week against the Jets, this defense has shown up and shown out in the first two weeks of the season.

Coming into this game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the defense knew that running back Josh Jacobs would be a go-to guy, as well as wideout Davante Adams with Jakobi Meyers out with a concussion. If the Bills managed to stop the run and force Jimmy Garoppolo to try and win through the air, that is where the defense is able to utilize their strength.

On the ground, the Bills allowed only 55 total rushing yards, in which the Raiders' leading rusher was Tre Tucker who had one carry for 34 yards. Meanwhile, their star back in Jacobs had nine carries but went backward and finished with -2 rushing yards. Zamir White had four carries late in the game for 22 yards before getting hit and fumble which officially ended the game.

When it came to the pass attack, there was none after the first Raiders' drive. The Buffalo defense did allow the Raiders to march down the field and let Davante Adams get in the endzone early in the game. After that, the Raiders never saw the endzone again and only managed to get one more scoring drive on the afternoon.

Linebacker Terrel Bernard once again led the team in total tackles for the second consecutive week (also getting his first career interception). However, it was the presence of Ed Oliver and Matt Milano that sparked a fight in the defense. Oliver was in the backfield a majority of the game, against the run and the pass. His contract extension has proven to be worthy through the first two weeks.

On the other hand, Matt Milano showed why he deserved a contract extension over Tremaine Edmunds. He recorded his second interception of the season where he ripped it from Josh Jacobs' hands. This was his third consecutive regular season interception, going back to Week 18 last season against the Patriots.

Overall, this defense came to play and did not let the first touchdown drive by the Raiders affect their mindset moving forward. The great teams bounce back after adversity and find a way to get the job done. The defense didn't just get the job done, but they dominated for four quarters.

Grade for the Buffalo Bills defense in Week 2: A