The Buffalo Bills signed defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson this week. The free-agent additions came after the front office was quiet at Tuesday’s trade deadline. The moves were aimed at helping address the team’s biggest concern: run defense.
Phillips (6’6”, 330 pounds) and Jefferson (6’4”, 291 pounds) are both big-bodied interior linemen with experience in the Bills’ defensive scheme. They figure to see plenty of playing time as part of a heavy line rotation behind starters Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones.
The question is whether those modest upgrades are enough to fix the problem. The Bills have been careful to protect their financial flexibility for 2025 after this year’s offseason roster overhaul. If the team falls short in the playoffs, however, questions will be raised about the lack of an impact move on the defensive side before the deadline.
Bills Players, Coaches Discuss Team’s Run Defense
Buffalo Coaching Staff Comments on Scheme, New Arrivals
The Bills rank 25th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per carry (4.8). In their toughest test to date, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry carved through the Buffalo defense with ease en route to 199 rushing yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Lamar Jackson added 54 yards on the ground in the Ravens’ 35-10 romp in Week 4.
Although the Bills have often overcome the poor run defense, that won’t be as easy when the weather deteriorates. Stopping the run is essential to playoff success, especially when playing home games in Western New York, where wind and snow can make January games a massive challenge.
Buffalo defensive coordinator Bobby Babich discussed the situation after Sunday’s win over the rival Miami Dolphins. Miami’s top two backs, De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, combined for 119 yards on 22 carries (5.4 YPC).
“[The Dolphins] do such a great job in the run game; they have threats on the outside,” Babich told ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg. “… Maybe you are a little lighter, whatever it is in the box, whatever that structure is, that you want to go after them. … Even when you look at the first Miami game compared to this Miami game, fundamentally, in the run game, where we can be a lot better.”
Yes, the Bills’ defensive scheme isn’t tailored to stopping the run. The base look, with star slot cornerback Taron Johnson on the field rather than a third linebacker, leads to a lot of light boxes for opponents to attack.
Injuries have also been a problem. The starting linebacker tandem of Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, one of the NFL’s best duos, hasn’t been on the field together. Milano has been sidelined since camp with a bicep injury. Bernard has missed three games with pectoral and ankle ailments. Two key defensive linemen, DeWayne Carter and Dawuane Smoot, are also on injured reserve.
Head coach Sean McDermott told Getzenberg he’s not sure whether Phillips and/or Jefferson will be available to help for Sunday’s clash with the Indianapolis Colts.
“[Phillips and Jefferson] haven’t played a lot, either of them, with their old clubs,” McDermott said. “So, we’ve got to see if they’re in shape and fit to play and just take it one step at a time. So, we’ll see where that goes.”
Josh Allen, Bills Teammates Discuss Situation
Allen said he was happy to see a couple familiar faces in the building this week:
Josh Allen on return of DTs Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson: “Big bodies… Glad to have those guys back.” #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/L6i7SdtMfc
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) November 6, 2024
Phillips is making his third stop in Buffalo. He previously played for the organization during the 2018 and 2019 seasons before returning in 2022-23. Jefferson is in his second stint after a one-year stay in 2020.
They can provide much-needed depth but they’re not game-changers. The existing starters need to play better. That includes reserve linebackers Dorian Williams and Baylon Spector. They’ve both struggled when called upon to replace Bernard and Milano.
Bernard didn’t shy away from criticism about the run defense through nine games.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time this week talking about how we need to fit the run, how we need to defend the run better, and rightfully so,” the linebacker told Getzenberg. “We didn’t do a good enough job last week, but you go back [against the Seattle Seahawks], and we did a really good job. So, I think just the consistency of what we’re doing, everybody understanding the job, and then, at the end of the day, doing your job and making plays when it’s your time to make a play.”
Bills Run Defense Faces Tough Challenge Sunday
Buffalo faces another tough challenge against the Colts. Jonathan Taylor will be fed early and often on Sunday afternoon. The 2021 NFL rushing champion is averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season. He’s found the end zone five times in six appearances.
Indianapolis is a desperate team, too. It’s 4-5 in a conference where it’s going to take nine, if not 10 wins, to make the playoffs. That doesn’t leave much margin for error. The Colts will need a few upsets down the stretch to make the postseason.
Sunday’s game against Buffalo is winnable. They have to establish the run early and control the clock. The fewer possessions the better. Follow the Baltimore blueprint.
On the flip side, the Bills can make this a statement game. The defense must show it can stare down one of the league’s best backs and win the battle. It can’t afford to keep losing so easily and decisively at the point of attack.
Buffalo’s true upside will ultimately come down to its run defense. Modest improvement would push the team into the Super Bowl conversation, but there’s a lot of work to do.
Main Image: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
