The Buffalo Bills’ pass defense has shown significant improvement in recent weeks, according to team officials who spoke with the media on Monday. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich pointed to increased cohesion among defensive backs as a key factor, noting that early-season injuries led to frequent lineup changes.
“There was a lot of different moving parts,” Babich said. “But I think we’re starting to get in a flow and a rhythm, and those guys are doing a pretty good job limiting the pass game.”
Buffalo currently ranks fourth in the NFL for expected points added (EPA) allowed per dropback since Week 7, up from ninth earlier in the season. The Bills now lead the league by allowing only 163.2 passing yards per game and have held nine of their twelve opponents under 200 passing yards. Only three teams—Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans—allow a lower completion percentage than Buffalo’s 59.5%. The Bills also stand sixth in opposing quarterback passer rating at 80.9.
A notable defensive strategy during Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh involved cornerback Christian Benford shadowing Steelers receiver DK Metcalf throughout the game. Benford explained, “Wherever he was going, I was going.” Head coach Sean McDermott commented on this approach: “It’s really growth,” he said of Benford. “Last year was one of the first times we ventured into that schematic version of our defense.” According to NextGenStats, Benford did not allow any receptions while covering Metcalf.
“I thought Christian really did a great job of limiting their number one receiver last night. And give Bobby credit and the defensive staff in terms of the plan as well,” McDermott said.
On the injury front, defensive end Joey Bosa is dealing with a hamstring issue following Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. McDermott stated, “We’ll see where that goes.” Left tackle Dion Dawkins remains in concussion protocol after missing Week 13, while linebacker Terrell Bernard (elbow), right tackle Spencer Brown (shoulder), wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle), and tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) are all making progress.
Kicker Tyler Bass will miss the rest of the season due to groin surgery after an unsuccessful attempt at non-surgical recovery earlier this year. McDermott explained: “We thought it was going away, then it wasn’t going away as he tried to get himself back ready. And so the surgery — the decision to get surgery — was almost made up for him. So that’s the decision we went with.” Matt Prater has filled in for Bass this season and has converted 17 out of 19 field goal attempts and 34 out of 37 extra points.
Running back James Cook III sent a motivational pregame message to backup tackles Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark before Sunday’s matchup when both were set to start due to injuries on the offensive line.
“I told them I trust them and believe in them,” Cook said. “And just let’s go get a win.”
The reshuffled offensive line helped Buffalo achieve its highest rushing total this season with 249 yards against Pittsburgh; Cook recorded his seventh 100-yard rushing performance on a career-high 32 carries.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady remarked on Cook’s mindset before kickoff: “I saw Jimbo pregame, and he just had that look in his eyes,” Brady said. “He was ready to rock yesterday, he had full confidence in the guys up front. He knew Vandy and Alec were going to be good to go.”
McDermott described Cook as an important leader despite his quiet demeanor: “The energy he comes to the sideline with, you can feel he has a presence, even when sometimes things aren’t going our way or his way, or what have you. That energy — we feed off of that,” McDermott said.
