Lost in all the snow and scoring in Buffalo’s 35-10 blowout of the visiting San Francisco 49ers was linebacker Matt Milano’s return to the Bills defense. Buffalo activated Milano before the game. He collected five tackles in his first game since injuring his biceps in August during the preseason. He only played five games last year and missed the first 12 games of 2024.
The snow helped Buffalo overcome what could have been a dangerous 49ers attack, especially since San Francisco jumped on the board first with a field goal after a nine-play, 48-yard drive that took 4:48 off the clock. Buffalo went three-and-out on its first possession of the game.
The Bills never looked back as 49ers kicker Jake Moody missed field goals on their next two drives. Buffalo blew out the defending NFC Champions on paper. Milano’s return may not have blown San Francisco off the flaky white field, but it should provide a calming influence going forward.
Star Player’s Return Reshapes the Bills Defense
Shuffling the Deck With Depth
In Milano’s absence, Buffalo relied heavily on second-year linebacker Dorian Williams. While Williams helped keep the defense in the middle of the pack, he didn’t have the impact on the team that Milano did. The former Boston College Eagle is a well-rounded specimen, contributing in both pass and rush defense.
His all-around skills were on display during the 2022 season, racking up 99 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions and 11 passes defended. The interception and sack numbers don’t jump off the page but still portray a complete package in one defender.
Hat and shirt kind of night.@Ticketmaster | #BillsMafia
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Williams was thrust into a starting role in 2024 due to injuries to Milano and Terrel Bernard. Bernard missed three games this year and most of the Week 2 game against the Miami Dolphins. Williams has 95 tackles on the year, one for a loss and one pass defended. He is quick and makes plays all over the field but is more of a reactor instead of a player who can anticipate the direction of a play.
Having both Bernard and Milano out of the lineup put a lot of pressure on the second-year linebacker, and for the most part, he played his role. With Milano back, however, it should only benefit the Bills going forward.
Buffalo’s Formidable Linebacking Crew
With Milano, Bernard, and Williams all healthy, the Bills have one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL. Williams didn’t record any stats against San Francisco, ceding the starting role to Milano and Bernard. But having all three healthy at the same time allows subbing that wasn’t available earlier in the season.
Williams can play as many snaps as needed if Milano needs to be eased back into things. Milano can then come in on the more important downs, like third-down passing situations. Bernard and Milano can pivot in and out of the lineup, allowing Williams to maintain some fluidity within the defense.
Bernard is similar to Milano, so having two similar players on the field at the same time should make the transition to full-time status easier for the former fifth-round pick. He did sport a big brace on his injured arm, so learning to play with a bulky impediment will also take time.
Three Units Working As One on Bills Defense
When a team has three reliable linebackers at the second level of defense, it takes immense pressure off of the other levels. The Bills defense ceded 78 yards on 13 carries to Jordan Mason. Before leaving with an injury, Christian McCaffrey rushed seven times for 53 yards (7.6 yards per carry).
The game had special circumstances due to snow, but having two run stuffers behind the defensive line will allow Greg Rosseau, Ed Oliver and Von Miller to focus on their assignments. If they happen to let a back through, the second level should be reliable enough to pick up the slack. It will also allow Buffalo to improve on its ranking on sacks (20th).
Goal line stand.
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The secondary has also played well but has been helped by the front four getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Having Milano on the field more will help nickel and dime packages on obvious passing downs. This in turn will allow the safeties to play looser and focus coverage on a bigger threat like Travis Kelce, George Pickens, Nico Collins or even Lamar Jackson.
Milano and Bernard can act as the spy against running quarterbacks. The Bills defense will likely face a few more before and during the playoffs. Milano’s return should make a good defense even better and allow other levels to lock down on their assignments instead of trying to overcompensate to shore up deficiencies.
Main Photo Courtesy of Gregory Fisher – Imagn Images
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