The Buffalo Bills were tested early and often in their 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. When a team scores over 40 points, it’s usually in a winning effort. Due to the high-flying offensive potential of both teams, however, every Bills unit needed to step up. Following the cross-conference shootout, however, the Bills defense got shredded:
- Allowed 457 total yards
- 15 first downs through the air
- 10.7 yards per pass
- 11-for-15 third-down efficiency
- 38:30 to 21:30 time of possession
After 15 weeks in 2024, Buffalo ranks ninth against the pass and 19th against the rush. The Lions rank fourth in rushing offense and will get their yards on the ground behind the two-headed monster attack of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Buffalo has prospered by keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone. Against the NFC-leading Detroit Lions in Week 15, one key Bills defensive unit must pick up even more slack if they hope to leave Detroit with a huge win.
Why This Buffalo Bills Unit Is Pivotal Against the Lions in Week 15
Keeping The Dam From Bursting
Bobby Babich’s defense has maintained a bend but doesn’t break style for much of 2024. Against formidable offenses, opponents often had to settle for field goals instead of scoring touchdowns on every trip to the red zone.
The defense held the Houston Texans to 23 points, the Miami Dolphins to 27 points, and the Kansas City Chiefs to 21 points. All three teams had potent passing attacks, even with the Chiefs reverting to less of a high-percentage deep strike offense like in past years.
Linebacker Matt Milano returned to play the last two games, helping solidify the second level of the defense. While his return has helped the defense, the secondary struggled greatly all day against the Rams. Christian Benford (8), Taylor Rapp (13), Taron Johnson (7), Damar Hamlin (12), and Rasul Douglas all had six or more tackles.
Every TD from the 12-touchdown game between the Bills and Rams! pic.twitter.com/yuPdB7aOB2
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2024
While that signals defenders making stops, the fact that Stafford averaged 10.7 yards per pass means the majority of his passes reached the secondary. Milano and Terrel Bernard (10 tackles) are tackling machines but likely had to focus on covering running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum for most of the game.
That led to receivers Puka Nacua (12 catches, 162 yards, touchdown) and Cooper Kupp (5 catches, 92 yards, touchdown) putting up their usual big stat lines.
Another Huge Test on the Horizon
When secondary players lead a team in tackles, it usually means that the second level didn’t do its job. But when an opposing quarterback averages over 10 yards per completion, the cornerbacks and nickelbacks aren’t getting the job done.
Some games just devolve into shootouts and both the Bills and Rams are suited to high-scoring games. The Lions are similar to the Rams in their creative, multi-faceted offensive attack. When they’re clicking on all cylinders, they can score at will on the ground and through the air:
- 2nd in the NFL in total yards a game (394.8)
- 1st in the NFL in points per game (32.1)
- 4th in the NFL in passing yards a game (243.8)
- 4th in the NFL in rushing yards a game (151.1)
- 2nd in time of possession (32:21)
Jared Goff has a 72.4 completion percentage. Buffalo will only see more formidable passing attacks going forward and need to repair what broke against the Rams. Stopping the bleeding will be tough to do since Detroit also has one of the best offensive lines in the league.
Jared Goff came up big to get the @Lions in FG position.
Then Jake Bates got them the win@progressive pic.twitter.com/I3kihjitEO
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2024
It’s why despite a good defense on paper, the Bills unit that needs to step up in Detroit has to be the secondary. The first two levels will have to focus on stopping Gibbs and Montgomery. Goff also relies on tight end Sam LaPorta, a weapon the Rams didn’t have in Week 14. All secondary players will be on high alert to break up passes instead of tackling opponents after big gains.
Perception Is Reality
It may be ugly, but the base, nickel, and dime packages will be pivotal to keeping up with the Lions. Buffalo has Super Bowl aspirations and is lucky that losses to NFC teams won’t hurt them as much as big losses to other AFC teams.
When it comes to perception and what most of the country will likely see in the late afternoon window this weekend, the Bills defense needs to look much better than it did against the Rams. Josh Allen can put up another four touchdowns and stay in the MVP race. It won’t matter if the defense gets more shredded than the Rock and Mark Wahlberg in most of their action movies.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The post Why This Buffalo Bills Unit Is Pivotal Against the Lions in Week 15 appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.