Buffalo Bills defense making an early statement in 2021
It’s been quite a start for the defending AFC East champions. And the Buffalo Bills’ defensive unit deserves an awful lot of credit.
In 2019, the Buffalo Bills fielded one of the best defensive units in the league. Only two teams in the NFL allowed fewer total yards and Sean McDermott’s club was ranked in the top 10 vs. both the run and pass. The clubs allowed the second-fewest points in the league and surrendered only 27 offensive touchdowns.
A year ago, McDermott’s squad finished 13-3, won the AFC East and a playoff game for the first time since 1995 and reached the AFC title game for the first time since ’93. But the club was carried more by quarterback Josh Allen and the offense than the defense. The latter was a mediocre 14th in total defense and was just 17th vs. the run.
The Bills allowed 375 points and 44 offensive touchdowns and despite finishing second in the NFL in points scored (501), there would be not Super Bowl appearance.
But what a difference an offseason has made. Four weeks into 2021, Buffalo leads the league in total defense, has allowed an NFL-low 44 points — pitching a pair of shutouts — given up only four offensive touchdowns while leading the league with 11 takeaways. The Bills have limited each of their four opponents to less than 300 yards of total offense.
It has been an imposing start for the defending AFC East champions. McDermott’s club has outscored the opposition a combined 134-44 during its 3-1 start. But on Sunday night, there is what you would call an acid test.
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The Bills will be looking to bounce back from a pair of losses to the Chiefs in 2020. They fell on a Monday night at home and three months later in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. And in both instances, Andy Reid’s team rolled up 400-plus yards. So what can we expect on Sunday night at Kansas City?