Defense’s Injuries - Can we get healthy for the playoffs?

[GASabresIUFan]

Last season the D essentially collapsed in the playoffs under the weight of so many injuries.

 

History seems to be repeating itself as 3/4 of the starters in the defensive backfield are now out and the Bills surrendering 86 points over the last two weeks.  Remember this is a D that has held 5 teams to 10 points earlier in the year.

 

Josh’s heroics not withstanding,  the Bills are only going as far as the defense allows them to go.   This team can’t win in the playoffs with a defense playing at its current level.  
 

The good news, I think, is that we now have 3 weeks of winnable games against bad teams that we can beat without rushing anyone back into the lineup.  
 

Of the injuries, Douglas and Milano are the most concerning.  Douglas missed the Lions game, and Milano left with a groin injury.  Even though Douglas hasn’t been great this season,  Elam and Ingram aren’t up to the task of replacing him.  Williams is good enough to replace Milano, but he too is playing through an injury.  Spector is 3rd string for a reason.
 

Hamlin and Rapp aren’t “out” longterm but nursing injuries that hopefully will be healed by the playoffs, if not sooner.  Bishop is improving, but he also got injured against the Lions.  Cam Lewis is good depth, but not a starter.  
 

 

[ganesh]

19 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Last season the D essentially collapsed in the playoffs under the weight of so many injuries.

 

History seems to be repeating itself as 3/4 of the starters in the defensive backfield are now out and the Bills surrendering 86 points over the last two weeks.  Remember this is a D that has held 5 teams to 10 points earlier in the year.

 

Josh’s heroics not withstanding,  the Bills are only going as far as the defense allows them to go.   This team can’t win in the playoffs with a defense playing at its current level.  
 

The good news, I think, is that we now have 3 weeks of winnable games against bad teams that we can beat without rushing anyone back into the lineup.  
 

Of the injuries, Douglas and Milano are the most concerning.  Douglas missed the Lions game, and Milano left with a groin injury.  Even though Douglas hasn’t been great this season,  Elam and Ingram aren’t up to the task of replacing him.  Williams is good enough to replace Milano, but he too is playing through an injury.  Spector is 3rd string for a reason.
 

Hamlin and Rapp aren’t “out” longterm but nursing injuries that hopefully will be healed by the playoffs, if not sooner.  Bishop is improving, but he also got injured against the Lions.  Cam Lewis is good depth, but not a starter.  
 

 

Bishop was not injured.  He had cramps and had to go inside to get treatment.  He will be ready for Sunday at home.

 

Injuries to Douglas and Rapp doesn't appear to be serious for them to miss multiple games. I see them back in the lineup next week. 

 

The biggest unknown may be Matt Milano's injury.

[Kelly to Allen]

Yes. None of the injuries are serious from everything I read we still got almost a month to rest guys before the playoffs start.

 

Super bowl 🏆 championship run commence!!!

[stuvian]

I just started a thread about resting our starters the rest of the way. We have the Pats twice and the Jets remaining. None of those games is worth risking more injury and neither is chasing the #1 seed IMO.

[gonzo1105]

14 minutes ago, ganesh said:

Bishop was not injured.  He had cramps and had to go inside to get treatment.  He will be ready for Sunday at home.

 

Injuries to Douglas and Rapp doesn't appear to be serious for them to miss multiple games. I see them back in the lineup next week. 

 

The biggest unknown may be Matt Milano's injury.

Honestly, Milanos injury might be a blessing to get Dorian back in the lineup since he’s been the better player. Need Milano healthy tho cause the drop off after Williams to Spectoris astronomical 

3 minutes ago, stuvian said:

I just started a thread about resting our starters the rest of the way. We have the Pats twice and the Jets remaining. None of those games is worth risking more injury and neither is chasing the #1 seed IMO.

They still have to lock up the 2 seed that is still not guaranteed 

[Solomon Grundy]

14 minutes ago, Kelly to Allen said:

Yes. None of the injuries are serious from everything I read we still got almost a month to rest guys before the playoffs start.

 

Super bowl 🏆 championship run commence!!!

Did Elam play that poorly yesterday?

[wjag]

2 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Did Elam play that poorly yesterday?

 

He was definitely picked on from my optic.

[Kelly to Allen]

8 minutes ago, wjag said:

 

He was definitely picked on from my optic.

 

I thought Elam looked good.

[MJS]

I'm so sick of the claims that the Bills would never win versus ABC opponent if XYZ doesn't change. It is a bunch of bologna. The Bills just beat the best team in the NFL. They also beat the top seed in the AFC. It is a week to week league and every team is dealing with injuries, not just the Bills.

 

They'll adjust and figure it out. Or they won't. Injuries suck, but they are a part of the game. Get as high of a seed as you can and try to go on a run in the playoffs.

Edited December 16 by MJS