It’s an all too familiar cliché. What transpires during the NFL preseason, good or bad, doesn’t necessarily translate to the games that matter. But the Buffalo Bills preseason opener provided inklings that this team’s defense is ready to reprise its role as one of the best units in the league.
Buffalo Bills Preseason Opener: Defense Continues to Shine
In a 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field on Thursday, the defense pulled out all the stops. They put pressure on the quarterbacks who played (Andrew Luck didn’t as he’s still nursing a calf injury). They neutralized the running game. Various members of the secondary made plays. All in all, it certainly classifies as a complete performance.
Jacoby Brissett, who started for the Colts, was under duress from the get-go. Add in the fact that the front seven made running the ball very difficult and it was difficult for the visitors to get anything going on offense. The defense as a whole made moving the chains nigh impossible during the first half. Indy didn’t convert a single third down until right before halftime.
Obviously, a significant part of the coaching staff’s respective jobs during the preseason is evaluating which players to keep on the back end of the roster. That’s why it’s difficult to draw concrete conclusions about what to anticipate when the regular season rolls along. But it must be noted that this is a Bills defense which was the only unit in the league to allow fewer than 3,000 passing yards last year. And the players expected to play the most in 2019, at times, looked to be in midseason form.
Another aspect of the preseason, arguably the most feel-good part of it, is seeing guys make the most of opportunities to move up the depth chart or solidify a roster spot. Two Bills defensive players who probably qualify here are Dean Marlowe and Lafayette Pitts. The former came up with the lone interception of the game when he picked off Phillip Walker in the second quarter. And Pitts was all over the field and finished with a tandem of pass breakups.
#Bills safety room is packed, veteran savvy play by Dean Marlowe for the INT.. good job watching the QB pic.twitter.com/tqaRlQe3Aq
— Nick (@Nick_Wojton) August 9, 2019
Among the most pressing issues head coach Sean McDermott wanted to rectify ahead of the 2019 season was consistency in the red zone. Last year, 70.83 percent of the opponent’s forays inside the 20-yard line resulted in a touchdown, the third-worst mark in the NFL. Though the Colts ventured into the red zone just once on Thursday, Buffalo held firm and held them to a field goal. It’s a small win, but it’s a start.
The most significant lowlight from a defensive standpoint came early in the fourth quarter. It was then that quarterback Chad Kelly veered to his left and went untouched for a 33-yard rushing touchdown. It’s certainly worth mentioning considering Kelly’s uncle, Jim Kelly, is arguably the most famous player to ever suit up for the Bills. The elder Kelly was actually shown cheering the touchdown. But I think it’s pretty fair most Bills fans will understand.
Christian Wade’s Spectacular Debut
Though unrelated to the defense, the biggest play for the Bills on the night certainly deserves mentioning. After Kelly’s aforementioned touchdown scamper, the home team got one of their own. On first down from the Bills 35, quarterback Tyree Jackson handed the ball off the Christian Wade, who promptly jumped into the open field and turned on the jets. 65-yards later, he found the end zone.
What makes it all the more impressive is the fact that Wade was playing in his first football game at any level. The Bills signed the 28-year-old as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Programme. Prior to that, Wade enjoyed a distinguished rugby career in the English Premiership with Wasps. He also has experience at international level for England.
"Look at the Bills sideline, they are going crazy for their friend from England!" #GoBills | #INDvsBUF pic.twitter.com/divtxNcJp4
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 9, 2019
Last Word
The defense, as well as the team as a whole, has a long way to go before they’re ready to compete for a postseason spot. The same can be said for all 32 teams. But the Bills got off on the right foot with a fairly decisive win in the opening game of the preseason. The overall roster, and the defense, in particular, got much better both via free agency and the draft. When we’re discussing a unit that was one of the best units in the league last season, that’s a scary thought. Through one preseason game, there are hints that big things are in store.
