Coach Sean McDermott attributes the unit’s recent success to a tougher, ‘nasty’ attitude and increased player buy-in.
The defense has overcome significant adversity, using at least seven different starting lineups this season due to numerous injuries.
Despite a strong pass defense, the Bills rank near the bottom of the league against the run, posing a challenge for their championship hopes.
ORCHARD PARK, NY – Maybe Sean McDermott was serving up the Knute Rockne coach speak version in explaining the growth of this iteration of his Buffalo Bills defense. Given the roll of the unit lately, that’s certainly the coach’s well-earned right.
The Bills frustrated and pummeled Patrick Mahomes Nov. 2 to prove that they are still capable of hanging one on their nemesis – at least in the regular season – and a week earlier the defense smashed through Carolina. Hustle, energy and punch stats are flowing.
But wait a minute. Aren’t these the same guys who were shredded by Bijan Robinson for 238 yards from scrimmage (170 rushing, 68 receiving) during a Week 6 loss at Atlanta?
Well, yes and no. In more ways than one. McDermott, though, started with the mind when pressed for details after the big win on Sunday.
What’s changed since Week 6?
“Just the attitude,” McDermott said.
He contends that players are better understanding the necessary buy-in.
“Not that it was bad,” he added. “It’s just that it’s at another level right now. And you’ve got to be nasty if you want to play good defense. If you’re not tough as a defense, what have you got? You want to play finesse defense? That doesn’t work.”
The results – including heat on Mahomes reflected with three sacks, 15 quarterback hits and the lowest completion rate for a game (44.1%) in the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s career – may start with the mindset but also coincide with the physicality McDermott alluded to.
Bills defense overcoming waves of adversity
It’s mental and physical. No stretch there, except when you consider all the bodies that have rolled in and out of the lineup all season.
The Bills defense may have found a nastier attitude along the way, but the defining identity of this unit has a lot to do with its ability to handle one dose of adversity after another that can largely trace to injuries. To say you don’t know what you’ll get from week to week is not a knock. It’s fact. Buffalo (6-3) has fielded at least seven different starting lineup combinations on its defense this season, leaving McDermott and coordinator Bobby Babich to churn for answers.
“We live in that next-man-up mentality,” edge rusher A.J. Epenesa told USA TODAY Sports. “People really buy into that. We play a game that’s full of violence. Unfortunately, injuries come along. But I think our locker room is a prime example of guys stepping up when their number is called.”
No, they aren’t looking for sympathy. Injury setbacks constitute a league-wide epidemic. Like always. Yet while the undeniable face of the franchise, reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, leads the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense, whatever hopes the Bills have to finally break through and claim the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth in 32 years, will weigh heavily on whether the battered defense can hold up. And be trusted. The unit passed a major test in handling Mahomes and a red-hot Chiefs offense, which should boost confidence.
But more tests await. Buffalo heads into Sunday’s game at Miami ranked No. 2 in the NFL for pass defense, but it is 28th against the run – not exactly a proven championship formula.
Yet it is the journey of this particular season. Last week, star defensive tackle Ed Oliver went on injured reserve with a torn biceps, joining safeties Taylor Rapp (knee) and Damar Hamlin (pectoral), defensive tackles DeWayne Carter (Achilles) and T.J. Sanders (knee), and cornerback Dorian Strong (neck) on IR. On Friday, Taron Johnson, arguably the NFL’s best nickel back, was scratched from last Sunday’s game with a groin injury.
Michael Hoecht injury is latest blow for Buffalo D
Then came the game. Linebackers Terrell Bernard and Matt Milano returned after missing the previous week, but a devastating blow came in the fourth quarter when edge rusher Michael Hoecht suffered a torn Achilles tendon that ended his season.
“It’s a big loss,” McDermott said.
Hoecht, like fellow D-lineman and offseason free agent signee Larry Ogunjobi, missed the Bills’ first six games due to an NFL suspension for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy. He quickly provided a boost with his toughness and smarts, McDermott said. On Sunday, he was part of the rotation, along with newcomer Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau and Epenesa, that kept constant pressure on Mahomes. And now he’s gone.
The reaction from Hoecht after he suffered the injury fit with the identity of the unit. He waved off the cart that came to transport him to the locker room, opting instead to watch the rest of the game from the bench. When it was over, the fifth-year vet used crutches to get to the locker room.
“It says more to everybody else about who Michael Hoecht is,” Babich told reporters on Monday. “That is exactly what I thought he would do … His leg could fall off and he’d figure out a way to hop around. That’s who he is.”
Now the Bills are pressed to replace him, too. Perhaps GM Brandon Beane will swing a trade or two for reinforcements before the 4 p.m. ET, Nov. 4, deadline. Or perhaps they will find more answers from within. Third-round rookie Landon Jackson, who started training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list and has been active for just two games, could be pegged for more action.
“We’ve got to find somebody else that’s going to step up,” McDermott said. “It’s been kind of one of those years; we’ve been tasked with doing that … We’re going to continue to figure out how we can manufacture wins at this point.
“Who’s the next up? That’s why we continue to tell the guys who may not be playing yet, ‘Make sure you’re ready.’ ”
Which is so essential to the attitude.
Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell