How'd the rookie DL do?

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, saundena said:

Did Walker help free up Oliver to let me be more dynamic (which he was of course)?

Not that I saw.  Cover1 has a nice breakdown on Ed’s game.  If we can consistently get this kind of production- I really like our chances of winning the SB.  

 

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

I see them getting more reps as the season goes on, but you are right they are rookies AND playing against one of the best in the NFL.

 

Going up against the best athletes you've ever seen that are also running the best coordinated offense you've ever seen with that variety of looks, options and mesh points has to be a nightmare for a DL in their first NFL game. It'd be like playing Navy with one arm tied behind your back while wearing an eye patch. 

They might have a few similar issues against that Jet offense next week but I think they'll definitely get better as the season rolls along.

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Simon said:

I thought Sanders was active and showed a little more mobility than I expected from him.

I think Walker played a little less and looked quite a bit like the rookie he was.

I doubt if either guy played more than a quarter of the game (maybe Sanders a bit more than Walker?) as Ed and Daquan were out there for most of it, so I wouldn't take too much from limited snaps in their first ever NFL start and against that particular team.

Pretty interesting-  I can’t recall the bills doing this before.  Ed, Saquon, Bosa and Rousseau all got 35 snaps. (68%).  AJ, Sanders and Solomon all got 16.  Walker got 3.  Seems like they switched the entire unit at the same time.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2025-snap-counts.htm

[Simon]

1 minute ago, NewEra said:

Pretty interesting-  I can’t recall the bills doing this before.  Ed, Saquon, Bosa and Rousseau all got 35 snaps. (68%).  AJ, Sanders and Solomon all got 16.  Walker got 3.  Seems like they switched the entire unit at the same time.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2025-snap-counts.htm

 

I wasn't paying a ton of attention to the rotation but I don't recall seeing Ed out there with anybody but DaQuan next to him.

That would certainly be a departure from what they've been doing for the last 5+ years.

[billsfan89]

This is going to be one hell of an All-22. If I had to guess by my eye test Oliver is probably going to be the only DT that gets rave reviews as he was the only player that was somewhat consistently disruptive. But the Ravens have a very good O-line one that is going to be among the best the Bills face all year. So I would imagine that even if Sanders/Walker struggled that's not going to spell doom for their seasons. 

[GoBills808]

10 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Not that I saw.  Cover1 has a nice breakdown on Ed’s game.  If we can consistently get this kind of production- I really like our chances of winning the SB.  

 

if he plays like he did last night yes 

 

the bigger issue is the rest of the defense is going to have to be better. last night just not sustainable

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

2 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

Going up against the best athletes you've ever seen that are also running the best coordinated offense you've ever seen with that variety of looks, options and mesh points has to be a nightmare for a DL in their first NFL game. It'd be like playing Navy with one arm tied behind your back while wearing an eye patch. 

They might have a few similar issues against that Jet offense next week but I think they'll definitely get better as the season rolls along.

Even bosa looked uncomfy early who has at least played against Lamar a few times before.  I think he’s only seen them once since Derrick Henry climbed aboard though lol 

[The Frankish Reich]

snap counts from last night:

 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2025-snap-counts.htm

 

DT:

 

- Oliver and Daquan: both 69% of plays

- Sanders: 31%

- Walker: 25%

 

I didn't notice any differences against the run, so I'm guessing Ogunjobi is the great hope here when he comes off suspension? Not so great a plan given that he's been considered stronger against the pass

 

24 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

I wasn't paying a ton of attention to the rotation but I don't recall seeing Ed out there with anybody but DaQuan next to him.

That would certainly be a departure from what they've been doing for the last 5+ years.

Given the exact same snap counts for Ed and Daquan, I think you're right.

[BillsShredder83]

5 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

snap counts from last night:

 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2025-snap-counts.htm

 

DT:

 

- Oliver and Daquan: both 69% of plays

- Sanders: 31%

- Walker: 25%

 

I didn't notice any differences against the run, so I'm guessing Ogunjobi is the great hope here when he comes off suspension? Not so great a plan given that he's been considered stronger against the pass

 

Given the exact same snap counts for Ed and Daquan, I think you're right.

They'll settle in, and every team from here on out will be easier to play the run against.  I dont think we'll have to depend on Ogjunboji to save our run defense.  Easily the best running team in the league IMO.  Must have been wild to go into game 1, having not played in 9 months....  then jumping into NFL action... and it happens to be the nastiest run team in the league for so many reasons, including scheme.

 

The ultimate welcome to the NFL type moment!  If anything, they walked outta that game with their hair on fire like - damn, THAT'S the NFL?!  Hopwefully serves at the ultimate motivator and reminder to focus and grind as hard as you can.  Hopefully leadership on the defense pushes that idea, and I hope we have a few leaders pop up on that side over the season!! 

 

It'd be hard to identify the real leaders on that side of the ball for me. Milano does it by action/preparation, but hes too quiet.  Maybe Rousseau?  Im ok being wrong, but I cant see Big Ed commanding presence the way were looking for.  Tre White, but he's unlikely to be on the field (IMO) as much as you'd like to see a leader getting time.... hmmmmm

[4th&long]

2 hours ago, pi2000 said:

Did anybody else notice, on the winning kick, Walker was lined up at RT (or whatever that position is called on ST)...  ball was snapped, he stood up and just waived at Hamilton who ran right past him and almost blocked the kick.    

 

What was he even doing out there?   Why not an actual offensive lineman or TE?   

 

That almost ended up in disaster.

I didn't notice. What the hell is a d lineman doing blocking?