The Buffalo Bills are looking absolutely dialed in, sitting at a dominant 6-1 record and claiming the top spot in the AFC. New head coach Joe Brady has them serious about their intent, a big shift after nearly a decade with the previous coach.
Brady’s Vision and a Shaky Defense
Brady, who is also the team’s play caller, has kept the offense humming, largely thanks to his continued connection with quarterback Josh Allen. That side of the ball has been “as advertised.” The real head-scratcher, week to week, has been the defense. There’s been a complete overhaul in defensive scheme, and until recently, it left a lot of people scratching their heads. However, that all changed after their Week 8 thrashing of the Baltimore Ravens. You gotta take those results with a grain of salt, but the defense looked way more competent as a unit. New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard promised a more aggressive system, and against the Ravens, he delivered. The big question now is if they have actually turned the corner, and while it’s tough to say for sure given the Week 8 situation, the results are definitely promising for later in the season.
Trade Deadline Moves on the Horizon?
Considering their strong start and the defense’s recent showing, it looks like the Bills might be looking to add some talent before the trade deadline. Most fans probably agree the focus should be on defense, maybe even more than one player. Is the offense set? Some might argue for bringing in a viable wide receiver option, especially to counter injuries. But the defense seems to be where the real buzz is. At linebacker, they have Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, and to a lesser extent, Kaleb Elarms-Orr leading the charge. Are they set there, or do they need more? The team recently released veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, which opens up a big question mark. Damar Hamlin got the start in his place against the Ravens and played a great game. Is Hamlin the long-term plan, or will they be looking for a new starting option at safety? Bills Mafia was vocal about missing out on defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, which tells you a lot about their defensive priorities. The decisions made at the deadline could define their season.
The Bills are clearly serious about their run this year. What kind of moves they make before the trade deadline could cement their position in the AFC. Will they bolster the defense with a new safety or linebacker, or maybe snag a receiver? It’s all about what they do next to build on this 6-1 start and that suddenly competent defense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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