Three defensive players who need to shine for the Bills in Week 8

The Buffalo Bills have another tough test this season, as they travel to Lumen Field and face the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle comes into this game a little banged up, as DK Metcalf’s status is up in the air for the matchup. Even without Metcalf, Seattle has the weapons to make the Bills’ defense struggle. The Bills come into this matchup banged up on the defensive side of the ball, with Terrel Bernard nursing an ankle injury and missing Thursday's practice (when this article was written). That leaves the defense with a glaring hole, as Bernard is the play-caller and leader of this defense. So, who will need to step up for Bobby Babich’s defense?

Defensive end AJ Epenesa

The Bills paid AJ Epenesa in the off-season, signing him to a two-year/$12M deal. Coming off of a career year where he totaled 6.5 sacks, one interception, and a forced fumble, Buffalo and its fanbase expected big things from him. So far this year, he’s totaled four sacks and two forced fumbles, along with eight quarterback hits. A nice start to the season for sure, but he hasn’t changed a game like he did in 2023. With Von Miller still suspended, the Bills could use someone wreaking havoc on the quarterback, and against the 29th-ranked offensive line, now is the perfect time to get a 1-2 punch going. 

Linebacker Dorian Williams

Whether or not Terrel Bernard plays, the Bills will be relying heavily on Dorian Williams. Bernard won’t be 100% and won't affect the line of scrimmage, so the Bills leading tackler, Williams (70), will have a tall task stopping their rushing attack. Despite being pressed into a starting role right before the season, Dorian has played well filling in for Matt Milano. Along with his 70 tackles, Dorian has totaled four tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Babich and Sean McDermott have done a great job developing him into a starter, and it’s continuing to pay off two months into the season. 

Cornerback Taron Johnson

With Metcalf’s status up in the air, slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’s had a dominant season, will get a good amount of targets on Sunday. Smith-Njigba has totaled 319 yards and one touchdown on 37 receptions, including a 12-catch 117-yard game against the New England Patriots in Week 2. Taron has continued his dominance this season, so whichever way this matchup goes, it’ll be an exciting one to watch. If the Bills want to have a chance, however, Taron needs to lock up Smith-Njigba.

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