NFL Week 4: Analyzing the AFC East

Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills – Defense

Overall defense: 30

Passing defense: 31

Rushing defense: 1

Clearly, the Bills are the best team in the NFL in the run game, regardless of whether they are rushing it themselves or defending. They’ve only surrendered 222 yards on the ground in three games, an impressive feat.

The Bills’ numbers against the pass are a bit skewed because one-third of the sample size is Tom Brady’s 466-yard performance. Nonetheless, facts are facts, and right now, the fact of the matter is the Bills are struggling to defend the pass.

Maybe they will climb higher among the NFL’s secondaries in Week 4. The Giants rank middle-of-the-pack with 760 passing yards in September.

One guy to keep an eye on is rookie Ronald Darby, who is as inconsistent as they come. To his credit, the Florida State product has already logged two picks, which ties for the league lead. But at times, Darby has been a liability in coverage. Brady exposed him in Week 2.

Without a doubt, the crown jewel of the Buffalo defense is Preston Brown. Not especially famous outside of Buffalo, the linebacker is the eyes, ears and control center for the Bills’ defense. Last week, he enjoyed the fruits of his labor by intercepting Ryan Tannehill on two occasions (he took one back for a score).

Next: Dolphins’ offense