The Buffalo Bills defense found it's footing against the Los Angeles Rams
Von Miller records two sacks in Bills debut, while the rest of the defense provided pressure on the Super Bowl champs
CC: WXXINEWS.ORG
BUFFALO, N.Y. (9-9-2022) - Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills to a 31-10 victory over the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFL season opener, but the defense led by Von Miller stole the show Thursday night.
Miller recorded two sacks, three for a loss and a pressure rating of 20.8%. However, he didn't prove to be the only stud on the Bills defense in the season opener, as other players each recorded sacks and tackles for a loss without even blitzing.
While Miller had five pressures on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, his teammate defensive tackle Jordan Phillips had six pressures. Defensive ends A.J Epenesa and Gregory Rousseau each recorded a sack and a tackle for a loss. Miller told the Buffalo News that the defensive line showed how much they improved in the offseason to each contribute to stopping the Rams offense.
“You can look in their eyes and you could tell that everybody was hungry, and everybody wanted this game,” Miller said, via Katherine Fitzgerald of the Buffalo News. “Everybody expected success today, and went out there and took it one play at a time, and here we are.”
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said in a post game conference how huge it was for the defensive line to provide pressure on Stafford, limiting his supporting cast including receiver Cooper Kupp.
“I felt the d-line,’’ Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “You could feel it impact and factor into the game.’’
Fans argued that the lack of efficient pass rushing led to the team coming up short of the Super Bowl, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the last two postseasons. However, McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane looked to fix that by signing Miller to a six-year $120 million contract. Miller showed even at 33-years-old he can still rush offensive tackles and get to the quarterback and it seems that same rush is starting to spread to his teammates on the front seven.
The d-line will have to show that same aggression as next week as running back Derrick Henry and the Tennesse Titans visit Orchard Park for tht Bills home opener on Monday Night Football.