Top 5 things we’ve learned about the Bills at the bye week

The Bills defense in 2021 was number one in total defense, yards per play, pass defense, third down defense, opponent passer rating and points allowed. Buffalo may not be number one in all those categories right now, but it’s hard not to feel that this year’s defensive unit is a more complete group than the one that was on the field last season.

Buffalo’s four-man defensive front goes nine deep and can stop the run and rush the passer without much need for blitz help. The Bills are seventh in sacks per play and Von Miller has been as good as advertised with six sacks in his first six games.

Their secondary despite shuffling different players in and out of the lineup due to injury has been masterful in preventing the big play and getting takeaways. The Bills lead the AFC with 13 total takeaways and lead the NFL in interceptions with 10 in six games. They also rank third in fewest plays of 20 yards or more surrendering just 17 since the season began.

Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano are having one of their most productive seasons as a tandem. They’ve combined for 68 total tackles, including eight for loss and rank first and third on the team in tackles. They’ve also posted a sack, an interception, five pass breakups and four quarterback hits.

And they’re succeeding against formidable competition. In the past three weeks they’ve held two of the top five scoring offenses in the league to 20 points each (Baltimore, Kansas City) as their red zone defense is now ranked in the top 10 (9th).

If they’re this good when they’re not healthy, the thought of a fully loaded Bills defense, especially if Tre’Davious White returns sooner rather than later, is downright scary.