If it's a valid excuse, why doesn't Denver and Minny have bad defenses this year like the Bills?
We (you and I) talk about the Bills relative to other teams all the time. You do it every time you cite our 3 and out ranking or virtually any other stat. What you're really trying to say is that when the data doesn't support the theory that having a bad O means you have to have a bad D, you don't look at it. Denver's D is immaterial, because they are great with a worse offense.
Football isn't played in a vacuum? That's true, however, that is an excuse that could be made for every argument. Every time you bring up the Oakland loss in 2014, football isn't played in a vacuum. Every heat map of opposing averages, football isn't played in a vacuum.
I'd love to see the numbers of the poll that says most folks blame the offense for the defense playing like crap for 2 seasons now. Link.