Three (Possibly Four) Defensive Players Who Need to Step Up on Sunday vs. Detroit

The most anticipated matchup of the NFL regular season is here, and it comes as a potential Super Bowl preview. The Bills head to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions who are riding an 11 game win streak. 

Coming off a terrible performance in LA, the defense is up for another tough test on Sunday. The injury report this week featured some regular defensive starters so who is out there will remain to be seen. It’s very clear; everyone on the defense needs to step up this week. Let’s take a look at a few guys that really need a standout game to help the Bills move to 11-3.

Ed Oliver

The spotlight over the last few weeks has been shining directly on Ed Oliver. Statistically, he is having one of his worst seasons to date. Putting stats aside, it’s clear that Oliver has not been the menace defensively that he was last season. Oliver said this week that his focus remains the same. He is going to keep rushing and doing what he can, but he can’t help that the ball gets out before he’s there.

From a pass rush perspective, Oliver was probably their most effective defensive lineman last week. It’s the run defense that has been an issue. Over the last two weeks, Oliver has been beaten time and time again in the run game and has been unable to get off a block to make the play. He has no solo tackles in the last two games, and against the Lions this week, Oliver needs to be the game wrecker from 2023 in order to contain the Sonic and Knuckles backfield of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Ja’Marcus Ingram and Kaiir Elam (Potentially)

With Rasual Douglas officially being ruled out, the cornerback position opposite Christian Benford is going to be a key factor on Sunday. Ingram came in last week against the Rams to play the 16 snaps after Douglas left with an injury and struggled a bit in coverage.

He will likely get the start in Detroit but the need for depth is there so we may see Elam with a jersey. The situation has been quite strange between the Bills and their former first round pick, but this is a clear opportunity for him to step up if called upon. Regardless of who is out there, the pressure will be on. The Lions receiving core is extremely talented and explosive, and if Jared Goff is able to pick on CB2 all day, it’s going to be a long 60 minutes for Bills fans.

Matt Milano

Since his return from injury, Milano has looked like a player dealing with some rust. The position from the coaching staff has been clear over the last two games; Milano is going to play a majority of the snaps alongside Terrell Bernard. If Bobby Babich and Sean McDermott have decided to sit Dorian Williams completely, it’s crucial that Milano backs it up on the field. In a game where he’ll be needed to stop the run and play in coverage, Milano is a focal point for the defense and will dictate the outcome of this game for Buffalo. Slowing down the running backs both on the ground and through the air while also keeping a close eye on tight end Sam Laporta will have Milano directly in center of the action. Time for him to get back to his old ways as a true All-Pro.

With another shootout looming against the current Super Bowl favorites, it’s going to take a complete effort from the defense to avoid a second straight defeat. While it’s going to be near impossible to completely shut down this Lions’ offense, it’s going to come down to some critical plays throughout the game and the Bills will look to these key players to step up in the big moments.

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