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The Bills defense had a down year in 2020. Prior to that, the defense proved season-after-season that they’re a formidable unit. That turnaround began with Buffalo hiring Sean McDermott as their head coach in 2017.
While 2020 was certainly a disappointment, NFL.com kept one important thing in mind.
Considering that last season was …just one year and this defense still has the same pieces in place… it’s still a good unit.
In keeping the big picture in focus, NFL.com named the Bills defense the ninth-best in the NFL heading into next season:
I was stunned how nondescript the Bills’ defense was last season. Sean McDermott is a fantastic head coach and defensive mind, and I love coordinator Leslie Frazier. I expect a major bounceback in 2021. It has to start with a pair of highly pedigreed players: LB Tremaine Edmunds and DT Ed Oliver. Both selected in the top half of their respective first rounds, Edmunds and Oliver were far too inconsistent last year. The talent is there — there’s no excuse. I’m expecting a breakthrough season from last year’s highest draft pick, A.J. Epenesa, as well. The pass rush just needs to be better in Buffalo. And hey, rookie first-rounder Greg Rousseau flashed in his first preseason offering, beating Penei Sewell for a sack.
The unit’s best player is Tre’Davious White, a Pro Bowler in each of the past two seasons and a game-changing talent at cornerback. Meanwhile, the safety duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde just continues to provide quality play without much fanfare. Same story with LB Matt Milano. If the rest of the unit can catch up with these guys, McDermott/Frazier’s defense will be back where it belongs as a top-10 group.
In addition to the Bills defense, NFL Media held the offense in high regard. In fact, even higher. The offense was tabbed as the second-best in the NFL heading into next year, behind only the Kansas City Chiefs.
Combining that, it’s easy to see that the outlet thinks the Bills are Super Bowl contender in 2021.
In terms of the defense alone, the Bills are also the only AFC East unit to appear on the top ranking.
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