Defense: let’s grade and comment your grade

[Italian Bills]

Today the defense had a poor performance. My grade is C-

[buffalojedwardo]

defense is soft and lacks a pass rush 

[oldmanfan]

You cannot give up the two drives they gave up in the second half.

[newcam2012]

Not right now. The time is to enjoy the win!

[Kellyhero68]

Defensive line has no pass rush moves. Straight bull rush most of the time. Where is Groot and Boogie? 

[billsfan89]

It was a solid performance. They gave up 21 points which isn’t great but isn’t bad either. They got the stops that mattered most and they didn’t give up any quick scores either. But they also couldn’t shut the door either even in the red zone and the pass rush and run defense wasn’t great either. It was a good enough performance a B or B- effort.

[atlbillsfan1975]

Well they were a lot better than the Pats D. Today the Bills beat the best OC, the refs, and the Pats. 

[RaoulDuke79]

The defense needs to figure out its identity. They either need to be able to create a consistent pass rush or stop the run. They can't seem to do either consistently. The secondary is strong even with White out. 

[Bigantall]

7 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

The defense needs to figure out its identity. They either need to be able to create a consistent pass rush or stop the run. They can't seem to do either consistently. The secondary is strong even with White out. 

You are absolutely correct not sure why they can't figure this out every week the same issues

[TAinLack.]

After the their first defensive series, Leslie was out to lunch - deer in the headlights look!

[JAMIEBUF12]

We have so many dt’s on this team and we still can’t stop the run😢😢

I miss the Ted Washington -Pat Williams days when you knew you couldn’t gain a yard running on us..Bring back the “package”😜

[quinnearlysghost88]

They have been and always will be bend (hopefully) don’t break vs run heavy teams. You have to hold your breath every down. 

[TFBillsfan]

Bills D didn’t give up the big run like they have previously against TN, Indy and NE in this game. However, it’s obvious this DL  front four just struggles to win their individual battles.  I just don’t see Star, Hughes, Addison or Butler back next year. They need a stud DT to go with Ed.  Linebackers continue to over pursue and get burnt by the cut backs. When they did force them into throwing downs coverage was super soft. However, it always felt like NE was getting 4 yards a pop. Rarely do you see the DL blow up a play in the backfield.

 

Super happy with the win but this D got run over on three long drives for TD’s. Gotta get better to make a run in the playoffs.

[mabden]

Mac Jones completed less than 50% of his passes for a putrid 145 yards and held Harris to 103 yards.  

 

The defense had constant pressure on Jones and picked him twice. 

 

They limited ne time of possession to 25 min.  

 

A

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2021 by mabden
Additional info

[vincec]

B-

Predictable. Pass defense was solid. Run defense was weak. Pats couldn't break any huge plays today, which helped, but they were also 5 for 5 on 4th downs and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. They did enough to win but the offense was the real key.

[Bills92]

What am I missing...  we gave up less the 300 yards against a playoff caliber, HOF Coached team..  and we are calling for the heads of a number of defensive players? 

Sorry... I struggle with that assessment when you consider that the Pats needed to pass to make up a double digit deficit but they continued to run and eat up the clock..  

Quite frankly, I think the Pats played into the trap that Fraser and Coach set....   A minus for me

 

 

[hemma]

They held them to 288 total yards, 56 under their average.

They held them to 21 points, 4.9 under their average.

Ohhhh, almost forgot.  We won.

[HappyDays]

Our pass rush is bad, that is the fundamental problem. We don't sack QBs enough so teams never get behind the sticks. Since we rarely tackle RBs behind the LOS that compounds the problem. Mac Jones had clean pockets to work with on almost every snap. No matter how good your secondary is the coverage will break down eventually. We need to get a difference maker on the d-line next year.

[Bills92]

2 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Our pass rush is bad, that is the fundamental problem. We don't sack QBs enough so teams never get behind the sticks. Since we rarely tackle RBs behind the LOS that compounds the problem. Mac Jones had clean pockets to work with on almost every snap. No matter how good your secondary is the coverage will break down eventually. We need to get a difference maker on the d-line next year.

Not true.. Pretty sure going into this week.. we have the 5th best pressure rate in the NFL... and I'm guessing it improves this week.

 

This narrative needs to stop

 

[BobbyC81]

1 hour ago, Kellyhero68 said:

Defensive line has no pass rush moves. Straight bull rush most of the time. Where is Groot and Boogie? 

Yeah, Hughes gets pushed (or held) to the outside and the QB just moves up in the pocket.