The Bills relocated from Orchard Park to Detroit on Saturday to face the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on Sunday, due to heavy snow in the Buffalo area.
The team has been shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball, dating back to this time last season when CB1 Tredavious White sustained a season-ending injury that has sidelined him since. Earlier this year, S Micah Hyde also was lost for the season as well, and more recently short-term injuries have left Leslie Frazier’s unit without the likes of CB Kaiir Elam and DEs Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa, who was hurt against the Browns.
Another big absence on Sunday was captain and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds who was out with a groin injury.
Needless to say with one of the NFL’s top rushing teams lining up across from them, the absence of stoppers like Rousseau and Edmunds left a void that needed to be filled.
And linebacker Matt Milano stepped up to answer the call.
Milano logged his first sack and first fumble recovery of the season to go with three tackles for loss and 12 tackles total which matched a career-high en route to a 31-23 Bills victory.
His three tackles for loss are part of seven total in his past four games.
During a postgame locker room interview with reporters, the Q&A was briefly interrupted by defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who chimed in with his mid-season assessment.
“Defensive Player of the Year. Matt Milano. Make sure you all start saying that,” Phillips said.
“He makes the big play. He doesn’t miss tackles. Interceptions. Touchdowns. You name it,” the DT elaborated with WGR-550 radio. “You can’t tell me anybody that’s playing better defensive football than Matt Milano. He’s consistent. He’s a leader. You can count on him every week. Tell me who plays better?”
Milano was part of the defensive effort that held Browns RB Nick Chubb to 14 rushes for a career-low 19 yards on nine or more carries and his worst average since two three-yard plays in his rookie season. Aside from one 12-yard run, Chubb only averaged 1.4 yards per rush. Chubb had one 12-yard carry, but only seven total rushing yards on his other 13 attempts.
He also helped lead a drive-ending defensive stop effort that gave Buffalo back possession by way of a turnover on downs.
When Cleveland had its first offensive drive of the second half QB Jacoby Brissett ran a quarterback sneak play at the Buffalo 27-yard line on 3rd-and-1 and again on 4th-and-1.
Both times he was stuffed by the Bills defense, and their offense would score again on their ensuing drive.
The team traveled back to Buffalo until Wednesday when they’ll return to the Motor City to prepare for a Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Lions.
As the defense figures to see the return of several of those stars and starters from injury, Milano will have even more support around him as he continues his 2022 campaign.
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