We have finally made it to the playoffs! After a very short few months, the Buffalo Bills have their first playoff game on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Their offense has been nothing short of electric this year, with Nix throwing for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions this season, and the offense averaging 25 points per game. The Bills will have a tough task this week in stopping this Broncos team, but as they’ve shown for most of the season, it’s nothing the defense can’t handle. So, let’s take a look at several Bills’ defensive players who need to step up this week.
Cornerback Christian Benford
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has been Nix’s favorite target this season, totaling 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns on 81 receptions. Sutton has dropped three passes this season, along with a contested catch rate of 60%, according to PlayerProfiler. Benford has been the Bills’ best player in the secondary this season, which likely means he’ll be going against Sutton for most of the time.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, the rest of their secondary has been average this season. The other receivers in Denver, Marvin Mims and rookie Devaughn Vele have been excellent this year. Both of whom have improved as the year has gone on and have been reliable targets for Nix.
Defensive End Von Miller
It's an obvious one, right? Miller was a Broncos legend for 10 seasons, and this will be the first time he gets to face them in the playoffs. The Bills need the MIller of old to show up this week and force Nix into poor throws. Buffalo will be relying on the, sometimes shaky, pass rush to get them through this game, and Miller will be at the forefront of the attack. On the year, Miller has totaled six sacks coming in from a backup role.
Defensive Tackle DaQuan Jones
The Broncos run game has been average this season, with lead back Javonte Williams rushing for 513 yards and four touchdowns on the year. The Bills run defense has left a lot of Bills’ fans wishing for more, with Fox Sports ranking them 12th in the league. The Bills could see issues again this week from a backfield that consists of the aforementioned Javonte Williams, rookie Audric Estime, and Jaleel McLaughlin. Tackle DaQuan Jones is another veteran the Bills and Bobby Babich will be relying on this week, as Jones has totaled 23 tackles and five tackles for loss this season.