The Buffalo Bills’ defense faced a surprising challenge in Week 10, as their formidable pass rush seemed to vanish against the Miami Dolphins. But wait, isn’t their pass rush one of the league’s best?
A Shocking Statistic: The Bills, known for their relentless pressure, managed zero sacks and only two QB hits in this game. Unbelievable, right? Especially when you consider their impressive season-long stats: 26 sacks (11th in the league), 54 QB hits, and a jaw-dropping fifth-best sack rate of over 10%.
But here’s the twist: the Bills’ pass rush wasn’t the issue in these games. Let’s dive in.
In the first matchup, the Bills emerged victorious, 31-21. The defense, despite the lack of sacks, contributed to the win. The game was tied in the fourth quarter, and the defense forced a crucial turnover, allowing the offense to pull ahead. So, was the pass rush a problem? Not in this case.
Fast forward to the recent contest, and the Bills allowed 30 points. But here’s where it gets controversial—was the defense at fault? After a quick 16 points in the first half, they tightened up and went into lockdown mode for a significant portion of the game. The offense’s struggles led to two big run plays, which, admittedly, are not directly related to the pass rush.
The Real Issue: The Bills’ pass rush isn’t consistently effective against the Dolphins, and that’s a concern. In both games, they couldn’t replicate their usual pressure. Is it a matchup problem, or have the Dolphins found a way to neutralize Buffalo’s biggest strength?
While this anomaly might not be a fatal flaw, it’s a red flag. The Bills’ pass rush is usually a force to be reckoned with, and their inability to disrupt the Dolphins’ passing game could be a weakness other teams exploit.
What’s your take? Is this a one-off issue or a cause for concern? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss whether the Bills should be worried about their pass rush or if it’s just a minor blip on the radar.