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Overhaul in the defensive trenches for the Buffalo Bills

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills gets the fans cheering during a game on Thanksgiving Day against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The Bills defeated the Cowboys 26-15. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills gets the fans cheering during a game on Thanksgiving Day against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The Bills defeated the Cowboys 26-15. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The defending AFC East champions are still looking for the club’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1993. Are the Buffalo Bills already an improved team?

Both general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have obviously played a big part in the revival of the team from Orchard Park New York. There was a stretch in which the Buffalo Bills did not make the NFL playoffs from 2000-16.

That’s a span of 17 consecutive seasons.

But McDermott’s club has reached the postseason four of the past five years and have captured the AFC East each of the last two seasons.

In 2020, the Buffalo Bills finished 13-3, won a playoff contest for the first time since 1995 and reached the AFC title game for the first time since 1993. This past year, Buffalo defended its division title, although the club slumped to 11-6. And Buffalo rolled the rival New England Patriots in the wild card playoffs, 47-17.

Long afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium for Buffalo Bills

The club headed to Kansas City for another postseason clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. And in one of the more epic playoff games in NFL annals, the Bills fell short in overtime, 42-36, in an amazing clash between quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

But for all of its offensive heroics, the bottom line is that a Bills’ team that had allowed the fewest total yards and fewest points in the league in 2021 was gashed for 552 total yards and that aforementioned 42 points at Arrowhead Stadium. And Buffalo’s run defense was iffy at best this past year and has been average at best in recent seasons.

Comings and goings

It’s hard to ignore what Beane and the team have done in the offseason so far – most notably on the defensive front. Yes, there have been some changes when it comes to the offensive line. Veterans Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams were let go while the Bills added versatile Rodger Saffold.

But when it comes to defense, there has been a slew of additions. Two-time Super Bowl champion Von Miller is the headliner, along with interior performers Tim Settle (Commanders) and DaQuan Jones (Panthers). And one-time Bill Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson are back with the club.

Meanwhile, Harrison Phillips signed with the Vikings, Star Lotulelei was released and veterans Jerry Hughes, Vernon Butler and Mario Addison (team-high 7.0 sacks in 2021) are now on the open market.

What an overhaul. And is the team done addressing this vital area? The Bills finished with 42 sacks during the regular season and added five more in the playoff split with the Patriots and Chiefs. But they also allowed 182 yards rushing to Kansas City in the divisional round setback. Apparently, there’s still a little more that needs fixing when it comes to one of the league’s better clubs.

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