The Buffalo Bills haven’t exactly looked clean on defense over their first two games, even if they’ve found ways to finish the job when it matters. Giving up 62 points through two weeks is a rough number for Jim Leonhard’s unit, but the setup for tomorrow’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers gives them a real chance to steady things.
The Bills are coming off extra rest from Week 2, and the Chargers’ offense has been an absolute mess under Mike McDaniel. That combination should give Buffalo a solid chance to control the day - as long as the defense doesn’t let its guard down.
Greg Rousseau and Deone Walker are expected to do plenty of the heavy lifting, but Buffalo needs more than just those two to make the Chargers’ struggles continue. A few other defenders have to raise their level, and this feels like the spot where they can do it.
Michael Hoecht is one of the names that stands out right away. He brings the energy and passion to this defense, and the move from edge rusher to outside linebacker was the smart call.
The next step is simple: turn that role into real impact. His pass rush has been solid so far, but Bills fans are still waiting to see more of the bull rush he showed last season before his Achilles injury.
Davison Igbinosun is another defender who has already earned meaningful snaps in the first two weeks. The second-round pick has looked solid in coverage, but the penalties remain an issue, especially the grabbing that was his biggest concern coming out of Ohio State. Against a Chargers receiving group that isn’t strong, this is a matchup where Igbinosun should have the edge.
Dorian Williams has also made his presence felt against the run. He’s brought the kind of physical play that can stop a ball carrier at or behind the line of scrimmage, and he appears to be the clear lead next to Terrel Bernard after competing with Kaleb Elarms-Orr through the summer and into the season. If the Chargers lean on Omarion Hampton as their top option, Williams will have a major role in slowing that down and forcing Justin Herbert to throw more.
Then there’s T.J. Parker, Buffalo’s first draft selection, who has had a quiet start to his rookie season.
Two games is still a tiny sample, but with Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb producing, the expectation is that Parker would start picking things up faster and become more of a factor in that outside linebacker room. That hasn’t happened yet, but this week could be the one where he starts adding more value.
In Other News...
Bills Could Have A Real Edge If Marvin Harrison Jr. Talks Heat Up
The buzz around Marvin Harrison Jr. is exactly the kind of long-shot speculation that tends to follow a team looking for another jolt on offense, and Buffalo has a small but interesting connection that makes the idea linger a little longer than usual. The Bills new receivers coach, Drew Terrell, and special teams coach, Jeff Rodgers, both spent time coaching in Arizona, giving them some familiarity with Harrison and, at minimum, a better sense of what kind of player he is and how he might fit.
Still, there has been nothing from the Bills or from NFL insiders to suggest a trade is actually in motion, which is why this remains more curiosity than something concrete. Even so, the presence of coaches who know the Cardinals side of the equation adds an extra layer to any discussion, because when a player of Harrisons profile comes up, teams are always looking for edges, and Buffalo may have one tucked into its new staff. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Allen Is Chasing Rare NFL History Against The Chargers
Josh Allen has opened the season looking every bit like the centerpiece of Buffalos offense, piling up big numbers through the air and on the ground while keeping the Bills moving with the kind of dual-threat balance that makes game plans miserable for defenses. His early work has also been a showcase for the rushing attack around him, with James Cook helping give Buffalo another layer of stress for opponents to handle.
The next test comes against the Chargers, and it carries a little extra history with it. Allen has a chance to join a very small NFL club by rushing for two touchdowns in his first three games, a mark only a handful of players have ever reached. For Buffalo, it is another reminder that the Bills are not just leaning on Allen to distribute the ball, they are counting on him to keep turning broken plays and designed runs into the kind of edge that can swing a game. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Playmakers May Have To Carry More Than Expected Vs Chargers
The Bills head into their meeting with the Chargers with a familiar sort of pressure on the offense, because the margin for error looks thinner than usual. Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer are among the key names to watch, and Buffalo may need both of them to do more than just fill roles if the passing game is going to keep pace with what Los Angeles can bring.
On the other side of the ball, the Bills also have some defensive questions to sort through, with DeWayne Carter and Christian Benford among the players whose availability and recent form matter as the matchup approaches. Add in the teams records and the way both offenses have been trending, and this game shapes up as one where Buffalos most reliable playmakers could end up carrying an even bigger load than planned. [Read more 🡒]