Defensive problems beginning to become worrisome for Buffalo Bills
Smothering their opposition during their four game win streak earlier this season, it appears that the Buffalo Bills defense has come off the rails a bit in the last couple of weeks. Perhaps it was just bad timing considering the recent form of Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. However, the results have become worrisome to say the least.
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Two weeks ago against the Miami Dolphins, it was the Bills run defense that was the problem. Going against a rejuvenated Dolphins offensive line, the Bills front seven could get no penetration and struggled to stop the run. That day, the defense allowed 256-yards rushing which included 214-yards for Ajayi and two rushing touchdowns by the Phins.
This past Sunday, it was the pass defense that let the team down. Stuffing the Patriots running backs all game long, the Bills could not handle Tom Brady and the New England passing attack. Though the yardage was not that much — 285-yards — the result was not good. Four passing touchdowns to four different receivers! That’s just being outplayed.
Unlike the first two weeks of the season where the defense played well for the most part, these past two weeks have seen breakdowns on two different areas of the defense. Bad breakdowns. While I do trust that Rex and Rob Ryan will address this in practice, can they just manage the bleeding or stop it completely?
Right now, Buffalo sits at 4-4. As I said earlier this season, I see a record of 10-6 being needed to make the playoffs. That means the Bills can only lose two more times this season. The rest of the team’s schedule includes multiple games that could put the team at risk for a loss. Road games at Seattle — next Monday night no less — Cincinnati, Oakland, and the rival Jets all remain.
With these challenges remaining, this recent loss of form for the Buffalo Bills defense is worrisome. The good news is that it can be fixed. The bad news, how long will it take for the Ryan brothers to find a permanent solution. Addressing this issue to just make partial repairs is not an option at this stage. After all, the Bills playoff hopes could be riding on the ultimate solution to this problem.
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