The Buffalo Bills defense is Sean McDermott’s baby. But defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier plays his part, too.
Pro Football Focus recently recognized this by naming Frazier the second-best defensive play-caller in the NFL recently.
Here’s how PFF explains his selection:
LESLIE FRAZIER, BUFFALO BILLS
While the Patriots and the 49ers get all the attention with notable defensive leaders on the sideline and on the field, the Buffalo Bills are very quietly one of the best defenses in the NFL without the star power. The highest-graded Bills defender is Micah Hyde, and he ranks just 62nd among all defensive players with 300-plus snaps this season. This emphasizes exactly how this metric for coaching is built: a team constructed of players who are good but not great is not expected to have consistently great results, and when they exceed expectations as a team, that credit goes to the defensive play-caller. Compare this with a 49ers team that has been great but is also getting exceptional play from a bevy of players at all levels of the field and has faced an easier slate of games to this point.Despite the lack of star power, the Bills’ defense is on par with the best in the NFL. On first- and second-down passes, the Bills’ opponents are getting closer to scoring next just 44% of the time, which ranks third to the Patriots and 49ers. On all passing plays, the Bills are allowing the fourth-lowest expected points added and have done so without a whole slew of turnovers, forcing just nine, which is below the league average of 11.3.
Buffalo’s defense has left some room for improvement in recent weeks against the run, but their secondary and second level of their defense is amongst the best in the NFL, which is why they’re ranked as the NFL’s third-best defense in terms of yards allowed.
The Bills’ coaching staff certainly deserves their fair share of credit for the unit’s successes so far this season. Because of this, could Frazier be considered a future head coaching candidate?
Frazier only ranked behind the Patriots’ Bill Belichick on PFF’s list of best defensive play-callers. You love to hate him, but that’s some good company.
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