Buffalo Bills' Coach Reveals Benefits of Von Miller's Return
The Buffalo Bills pass rush has helped fuel a defense capable of stopping the best offenses in football. And soon, it's going to get even better.
Buffalo currently ranks second in points allowed and first in turnover percentage, blowing out bad teams and contenders alike. The unit is tied atop the sack leaderboard (16) and while the peripherals aren’t as optimistic, the return of future Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller can make Bills Mafia even more excited about what’s to come.
Assistant head coach Eric Washington spoke on Monday about Miller’s presence as he begins to make his return.
“We anticipate Von just being an integral factor in terms of our ability to generate pressure with four guys,” Washington said. “Von’s influence and attention that he should garner from the protection concepts should allow other guys to be single.
“Our whole mindset and philosophy revolves around being able to win one-on-one.”
Miller, undoubtedly, makes that goal much more achievable. In his first year in Buffalo, he generated eight sacks in 11 games but missed the playoffs.
He’s been on the PUP list since training camp, but the Bills will activate his 21-day practice window this week. It’s only a matter of time before he’s back.
Miller celebrating a big play in 2022.
USA TODAY
“Anytime Von Miller is on the field, you have to pay attention to him,” Washington said. “We look forward to him integrating himself back into what we’re doing and adding to what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
It isn’t entirely clear when Miller will make his season debut, but when he does, he’ll be joining an ascending unit. Edge rushers Greg Rousseau and Leonard Floyd have had productive starts to the season, combining for seven sacks and 23 pressures. The interior defensive line, however, has been markedly better. Defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver have combined for 27 pressures in four games.
Adding Miller into that mix of pass rushers allows Buffalo to rotate more frequently and hunt for better matchups. Extra resources spent on Miller, or whoever an opponent hones in on, are resources not spent on everyone else.
Throw in the fireworks the offense has produced, forcing teams to pass, and it is easy to see how Miller’s return makes a Super Bowl contender that much more dangerous.
The Bills’ pass rush will get another chance to wreak havoc on Sunday when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England.
