Buffalo’s Defense is Heating Up - But the Bengals Will Be the Real Test
The Buffalo Bills defense has been on a tear lately, but let’s keep it real - they’ve been beating up on offenses that aren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard. The Texans and Steelers aren’t scaring anyone, and Buffalo took full advantage.
But now comes a different kind of challenge. The Cincinnati Bengals are coming to town, and with Joe Burrow back under center and Ja’Marr Chase doing Ja’Marr Chase things, this is the kind of matchup that tells you who you really are.
Burrow looked sharp in his return, shaking off the rust with a statement win over the Ravens on Thanksgiving night. And if Tee Higgins clears concussion protocol, that Bengals offense suddenly becomes a full-blown headache for any defense - even one that’s been trending up like Buffalo’s.
So, are the Bills ready for this? Based on the last six quarters, there’s reason to believe they might be.
Since halftime of the Texans game, Buffalo’s defense has been flying around with purpose. They’ve allowed just 10 points, 12 first downs, and 226 total yards over that stretch.
That’s not just solid - that’s dominant, no matter who you’re playing.
“I don’t know, maybe more understanding, guys just flying around, playing relentless-style football,” said head coach Sean McDermott. “They work hard during the week and take a lot of pride in their work, so I couldn’t be happier with the way they played.”
And they’ve needed every bit of that defensive surge. With Josh Allen and the offense still struggling to generate consistent big plays - Buffalo has failed to score 20 points in three of the last four games - the defense has had to shoulder the load. If this team’s going to make a push for the playoffs, it starts with the defense continuing to play like this.
“We want to be a nasty defense,” said defensive back Cam Lewis after the win over Pittsburgh. “And just try to keep showing it each and every Sunday.”
Right now, they’re backing that up.
Run Defense: Progress, But Still a Work in Progress
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Buffalo’s run defense has been a problem for most of the season. They’re still near the bottom of the league in key categories: 30th in rushing yards allowed per game (141.3), 31st in yards per carry (5.2), and they’ve given up 51 runs of 10+ yards - second-most in the NFL. That’s not a stat line you want to carry into December.
But there’s been some real improvement lately. The Texans and Steelers combined for just 166 rushing yards over the last two games, and 79 of those came in the first half against Houston. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich credited a shift in mentality.
“I think the guys took on the idea that enough is enough,” Babich said. “And they just did a good job doing their job.”
There’s still too much movement at the line of scrimmage - opposing offensive lines are getting push - but one bright spot has been the return of veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson. Filling in for the injured Terrel Bernard, Thompson has brought a physical edge to the second level. He’s bigger, stronger, and more experienced, and it’s showing up on tape.
“Shaq’s a good football player,” McDermott said. “He and I go way back. He’s tough, he’s a good leader, and when he plays he makes a difference.”
That difference has been noticeable. Thompson’s presence has helped stabilize a unit that’s been gashed far too often this year. Whether he remains a full-time fixture or part of a rotation, he’s clearly earned his snaps.
Pass Defense: Quietly Elite Despite the Injuries
While the run defense has been a rollercoaster, the pass defense has quietly been one of the best in football. Buffalo leads the league in passing yards allowed per game (163.2), and that’s not just because teams are running more. The secondary has been holding up - and doing it with a banged-up pass rush in front of them.
The Bills rank 17th in quarterback pressure rate (34%), which means the defensive backs are having to cover longer. And they’ve been up to the task.
Outside of a rough two-game stretch against the Patriots and Falcons - Buffalo’s first two losses of the season - the pass defense has been rock solid. In fact, only one team, the Chiefs, has topped 175 net passing yards against them in the last six games.
Christian Benford has emerged as a true lockdown corner, often shadowing the opponent’s top wideout. Tre’Davious White, after a rocky start, has found his groove in the second half of the season. His timeshare with rookie Maxwell Hairston has been a smart move - it’s allowed both players to stay fresh and productive.
At safety, the move to start Jordan Poyer over Taylor Rapp has paid off. Poyer’s veteran savvy has brought stability, and it’s also helped rookie Cole Bishop settle in and start playing with confidence.
“There was a lot of different moving parts,” Babich said of the injury-riddled secondary. “I think we’re starting to get in a flow and a rhythm and those guys are doing a pretty good job limiting the pass game.”
McDermott echoed that sentiment after the Steelers game, pointing to the synergy between the front and back end of the defense.
“You saw some really good, as we call or refer to as, rush and coverage working together,” McDermott said. “When you can cover ‘em up and execute that way, it’s effective for any defense. And that’s signs of growth for our defense this year.”
The Bottom Line
The Bills defense is playing its best football of the season - and just in time. But let’s be honest: the real test is coming.
The Bengals aren’t the Texans or Steelers. They’ve got a top-tier quarterback, elite weapons, and a coaching staff that knows how to scheme guys open.
If Buffalo’s defense can keep this momentum going against Cincinnati, then we’re talking about a unit that could carry this team into - and through - the postseason. But if the run defense regresses or the secondary cracks under pressure, it could be a long Sunday afternoon.
One thing’s for sure: we’re about to find out just how far this defense has come.