Bills’ defense does it again

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, October 30, 2007  |  Comments( 43 )

Buffalo Bills
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
Seven games into the 2007 NFL season, it's absolutely fair to say the Buffalo Bills' defense is no fluke. The team has three victories this season, and an argument can easily be made that Buffalo's 'D' is the primary reason for all of those wins. The Bills, having won three of four, have two opponents coming up that are a combined 2-13 this year, and it would hardly be surprising if Buffalo is sitting at 5-4 in two weeks. If they are, their defense will be the primary reason.

Led by coordinator Perry Fewell, the group, despite its 30th overall ranking, has been superb of late. Since allowing a total of 64 points in Weeks 2 and 3, the Bills have given up just 56 during the last four games.

On Sunday, they completely shut down the Jets, who managed only three points against the Bills' up-and-coming defense. Veteran quarterback Chad Pennington, in a do-or-die start, completed 13-of-20 passes for only 106 yards. He was also sacked three times and lost one fumble. With the Bills leading 13-3 late in the game, Pennington was pulled in favor of much-ballyhooed backup Kellen Clemens, who was intercepted twice to seal the Jets' seventh defeat.

In the first three weeks of the season, all of which resulted in losses for the Bills, their defense forced only three turnovers and gave up over 400 yards three times. Since, Buffalo has 12 takeaways, including a whopping nine interceptions. Additionally, the team's young secondary has not allowed a 100-yard receiver since Week 4 (Jerricho Cotchery), and it has only let one enemy rusher hit the century mark in ground yardage (Willis McGahee) during this four-game hot streak.

Not bad for a 'D' that was supposed to be terrible all around, particularly against the run. But thanks to present and future building blocks like tackle John McCargo, linebacker Angelo Crowell and safety Donte Whitner, the Bills have clamped down on their opponents since Sept. 30. As a result, the team has accrued an impressive 3-1 record during the last month.

Granted, Buffalo's defense has faced three weak offenses (New York twice, Baltimore once), but it's still fair to praise the unit for the job its done. After season-ending injuries to linebacker Paul Posluszny, safety Ko Simpson, cornerback Jason Webster and other long-term ailments that have plagued end Ryan Denney, LB Coy Wire and CB Ashton Youboty, few believed the Bills could contain even the league's most flat offenses.

This week, for the first time since it kept Dallas at bay and forced six turnovers, the Bills' defense will be facing an elite-level offense. The Cincinnati Bengals, helmed by quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Johnson, are a troubled, frustrated team at 2-5, but their offense still has a lot of firepower. If Buffalo ends up stymieing Cincinnati and wins yet another game, then, even those who don't currently think its 'D' is for real will have to jump on the bandwagon.

If this keeps up, Fewell will certainly be an intriguing head coaching candidate as early as January.

RealFootball365.com: Why go anywhere else on the Internet for honest football commentary?
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (43)

About Connor Byrne

Sorry, Connor Byrne's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report
CommentsComments: 43  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
ScrewLosmanHaters		08:19 AM
10/30/2007
I agree Conner, I think that Fewell has been one of if not the best game-day coach that the Bills have had in a long time. Not to...
No.2
Nate		08:53 AM
10/30/2007
I agree with you Connor. The Bills defense has picked it up since the Cowboys game where they played out of their heads inspired...
No.3
rich (the real one! the original one!)		09:46 AM
10/30/2007
Yep. as with nate, i agree with your article conner. Nates point about defense being better with edwards in has been my main...
Team News  |  View All Bills Content
Manning to the Bills?
Why not? Now that the Colts have rid themselves of the Polian family,...
3 weeks, 1 day ago   |   Manning to the Bills? ( 257 )
Nix needs to fix the Bills p...
In 2010, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey were banking on Aaron Schobel to tr...
3 weeks, 3 days ago   |   Nix needs to fix the Bills pass rushing problems ( 28 )
Stop the Revolving Door!
Wade Phillips, current Texans D- Coordinator - Playoffs. Mike Mularkey...
1 month, 1 week ago   |   Stop the Revolving Door! ( 191 )
Is a Bills Succession Plan g...
In the wake of talks from NFL experts stating that there are going to...
1 month, 1 week ago   |   Is a Bills Succession Plan going to take effect in 2012? ( 89 )
Bills 1st half results
Last year after 8 games, the Bills were a miserable 0-8. This year aft...
3 months ago   |   Bills 1st half results ( 625 )