Can Rejuvenated Bills Defense Keep the Fire Lit?

By Gregory Brown

Photo by Jerome Davis

The underdog Buffalo Bills defeated the surging Kansas City Chiefs 28 – 21 in another marquee game. The Chiefs came in to Highmark Stadium feeling very good about themselves after winning four of their last five games and finally showing the explosive offense that came with the addition of wideouts Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, both of whom have revived the Chiefs’ big play capability.

However, that was not enough, as the Bills displayed a new look, high-energy defense and a tight-end centric passing offense. Combined with another James Cook one hundred-yard rushing effort, and it all led to a pretty convincing Buffalo victory. But one thing it showed, however, is that Buffalo still lacks a killer instinct. The Bills had KC on the ropes at several points in the game, but each time, they allowed the Chiefs to get off the mat.

A case in point was KC’s end of first half field goal that came after a long pass completion by QB Patrick Mahomes to wideout Hollywood Brown which took them all the way down to the Buffalo one-yard line. It came right after the Bills had gone up 20 -10 after their own smart, end of first half touchdown drive. Fortunately, the Bills mounted an impressive goal line stand that forced the Chiefs to settle for the field goal.

Still another instance where the killer instinct was lacking came in the fourth quarter, with the Bills up by 15 points. KC managed to put another touchdown on the board that included an incredible fourth down and 17-yard conversion. With the touchdown that followed and a successful two-point conversion, the Chiefs had made it a one score game. With the always dangerous Mahomes at the helm, the Bills were forced to endure some unnecessary Hail Mary drama at the end.

Some will say that this is simply nitpicking over a decisive Buffalo victory. And perhaps is. Indeed, the Bills defense, especially the secondary played solid football. Safety Cole Bishop played lights out. He was all over the field; breaking up passes and laying the lumber on any Chiefs receiver daring to venture into his territory. Bishop’s hit on Chiefs TE Travis Kelce helped thwart KC’s touchdown attempt at the end of the first half and also made a huge statement to the rest of the Chief’s receiving corps, especially guys like Brown and Xavier Worthy, who are thin in the hind pockets.

It was also interesting to note who the Bills had playing in the secondary during crunch time. Rookie CB Maxwell Hairston got extensive playing time and claimed his first career interception off Mahomes, a feat in itself. CB Jamarcus Ingram also saw extended playing time as well. Veteran safety Jordan Poyer, inserted into the starting lineup following the season ending injury to Taylor Rapp, seems to have provided stability and veteran leadership to the secondary. The odd man out seems to be CB Tre’Davious White whose best days are now behind him.

The only other downside to this game – besides the lack of a killer instinct - was the season ending injury to versatile defensive lineman, Michael Hoecht, who left the game with a torn Achilles, which only adds to the Bills defensive woes after last week’s season ending injury to DT Ed Oliver.

The injury to Hoecht was disheartening because of his position versatility and the energy he brought to the defense. Hoecht’s versatility, which was evident in his ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line, made him kind of a “chess piece,” that the Bills could deploy in multiple ways in both the run and pass game.

I will confess to also having a special affection for Hoecht, who, like me, is a Brown University graduate.  Like Hoecht, I was also a member of the Brown University football team and its starting wide receiver some 55 years and 100 pounds ago. There aren’t too many Ivy Leaguers, and especially few Brown Bears who have achieved a place in the NFL. My hope is that Hoecht can come back from his injury so he can continue to wave the Brown banner across the NFL.  

With the NFL season now at the halfway mark, the Bills are in the rather unfamiliar position of trailing in the AFC East. The question before us now is whether the rejuvenated Bills defense can keep the fire lit in the wake of so many key injuries. Only time will tell.