Through two preseason games, the Buffalo Bills’ defense has done more than hold serve - it has looked sharp, disruptive, and a whole lot more stable than fans are used to seeing. The latest proof came Saturday in a win over the Cleveland Browns, when Buffalo’s defense gave up only one first-quarter touchdown and then mostly shut the door, even with a roster full of backups doing much of the work.
Cleveland’s only real early success came when Shedeur Sanders got the Browns on the board in the first quarter. After that, Buffalo kept them bottled up.
The Bills allowed just 194 total yards and held the Browns to three conversions on 11 third-down chances. That kind of efficiency has been the story so far this preseason.
Buffalo’s defense also made plenty of impact plays against Cleveland. The unit came away with two interceptions, seven pass deflections and five quarterback hits. Meanwhile, the Bills’ offense controlled the possession battle enough to finish with 20 first downs, while the Browns managed only 12.
That strong showing followed another solid outing in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. In that game, Buffalo gave up just 201 total yards and again limited the opponent to three third-down conversions on 11 tries. Cornerback Kani Walker picked off a pass, and the defense added four pass deflections and five QB hits.
What makes the early results stand out is how little the presumed starters have played. Against Carolina, they were on the field only briefly early in the game, and even then Buffalo’s defense forced Carolina’s starters into three straight three-and-outs.
Yes, it’s still August, and yes, most of these snaps have gone to backups. But back-to-back performances like this suggest the work being done under Jim Leonhard is already taking hold.
Buffalo’s defense has been the team’s biggest liability for the last few seasons, and Leonhard came in with a clear job: fix it. Through two preseason games, he’s giving every sign that he plans to do exactly that.
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