Bills defense creates havoc in this statistical category plus 5 other noteworthy numbers from Week 2
https://www.buffalobills.com/video/highlight-ed-oliver-swat-leads-to-trent-murphy-int
The key for Buffalo’s defense has been their ability to get the opposing offense to third-and-long. On more than half of the third downs faced by the Bills defense (16), they’ve put their opponent in 3rd-and-7-or-more.
“We know we have to get out early on them and force them to be one-dimensional and throw the football,” said Micah Hyde.
Not surprisingly, Buffalo has gotten stops on 14 of those 16 third down plays with four sacks and an interception in those situations.
Perhaps even more impressive is the unit’s effectiveness on third down when defending in their half of the field. From midfield in this season, Buffalo’s third down defense has allowed just two conversions.
An eight-yard completion from Sam Darnold to Jamison Crowder and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Le’Veon Bell.
The other six attempts resulted in three sacks, two incompletions and a reception that went for no gain.