State of the Bills defense reflects an upcoming transition

ORCHARD PARK, NY – Moments don't come much bigger than this.

A chance to host the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs after losing at Arrowhead Stadium in back-to-back playoffs (2020 and 2021) is there for the Buffalo Bills. The importance cannot be overstated. The phrase “13 seconds” needs no context among the Bills mafia.

Sunday's game (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS) is an opportunity to put this 2021 game entirely in the rearview mirror, for the defense to prove it can stop quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs and advance to the AFC Championship for only the second time. since 1993.

To come away with a victory, the Bills must continue to work around the missing pieces due to injuries – a reality they have faced all season.

Only two defensive starters have started all 17 games for the Bills: nickel corner Taron Johnson and middle linebacker Terrel Bernard. But Johnson and Bernard, two of the team's most consistent players, are doubtful Sunday due to injuries. The team lost two key starters from the season in Weeks 4 and 5: cornerback Tre'Davious White and 2022 first-team All-Pro outside linebacker Matt Milano.

“I don’t remember it,” assistant head coach and defensive line coach Eric Washington said when asked if he’s seen a unit with more injuries. “…The coaches did a really good job of making sure everyone in our respective meeting rooms was plugged in. …it also gave us an opportunity to really identify our character.”

In another test during a busy season, the Bills defense will need to stop Mahomes and the Chiefs before any major unit decisions are made this offseason.

“[This defense is] very resistant. It's just something that's in their fabric,” coach Sean McDermott said. “…It's in their DNA and it's really become the DNA of our team with the next man up. We're going to find out and…I think you can accomplish a lot when you have that type of attitude. »

Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have started 92 games together since 2017, by far the most games by an NFL safety duo during that stretch, according to Elias Sports Bureau. (The Broncos' Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson are second with 62.) They are two of seven current Bills who were on McDermott's first team in Buffalo in 2017.

Hyde, 33, who is in the final year of his contract with the Bills, played in 14 regular-season games in 2023 while dealing with a stinger after undergoing neck surgery in September 2022. Poyer, 32 , was brought back to the Bills in free agency in 2023 on a team-friendly two-year deal. Both captains have been a part of this defense at every stage of the Bills' rise over the years, but how long they will stay is a question for the offseason.

“For the defense, I mean, I think they’re our heartbeat,” cornerback Dane Jackson said. “Those are our leaders, the guys we're looking to step up. To make those big plays, because we know they can do it, and we trust them to lead us.”

The Bills don't have an obvious next generation at safety. Backup Taylor Rapp, out against the Chiefs with a calf injury, is set to become a free agent. Backup Damar Hamlin, who appeared in five regular-season games and was active in Monday's win over the Steelers, will be in the final year of his rookie contract next season.

At cornerback, the team acquired Rasul Douglas just before the trade deadline to make up for White's loss to a torn right Achilles suffered in Week 4. Douglas made a big impression with four interceptions, including a pick -six, eight passes defended and two. He recovered fumbles, but is questionable for Sunday because of a knee injury.

Douglas is under contract through 2024, complicating the future of White, who will be recovering from a second significant injury and is expected to account for $16.44 million in cap space next season.

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“[Douglas’] personality is the first thing you notice here in the building. I mean, the guy's a pro, the young guy's a pro,” Washington said. “…He's a good person that our secondary really needs to pay attention to as far as how he approaches a situational practice. … It’s great to have another person with that type of mindset.”

Also part of the long-term cornerback group is second-year cornerback Christian Benford, who will miss Sunday's game against the Chiefs with a knee injury. Jackson, a pending free agent, is expected to start in his place.

Bernard, a second-year linebacker who replaced the departed Tremaine Edmunds starting in Week 1, appears to be the long-term answer alongside Milano – who is out for the season with a right leg injury but signed until 2026.

“[Bernard’s] “The game speaks for itself,” McDermott said. “The year he had as a young player, coming in with virtually no experience and leading our defense, not only being productive, but providing the leadership aspect of the middle linebacker position.”

The defensive line will be key to a Bills victory against the Chiefs, especially since the Bills will face running back Isiah Pacheco for the first time this season. Only one defensive tackle is under contract for next season: Ed Oliver, who is having a career season after signing a four-year extension worth $68 million during the 2023 offseason. DaQuan Jones, who was released from injured reserve at an ideal time for the defense in Week 17, partnered well with Oliver.

As a passer, Von Miller is poised to have the Bills' second-most success next season, and after failing to reach the level of play the team hoped for, including being a healthy scratch in the Week 17, his play in the playoffs will be something to watch. Miller continues his attempt to regain his previous All-Pro form following major surgery on his right ACL in December 2022. Miller is also under investigation for allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in their Dallas apartment on November 29 .

While Miller was the big free agency move in 2022, Leonard Floyd, who signed with the Bills on a one-year deal in June, will become general manager Brandon Beane's move in 2023 with 10.5 sacks this season .

Miller, 34, and Floyd, 31, are visible members of a decidedly veteran group. Although several young players have taken on important roles this season, this year's Bills roster has an average age of 27.6, the second oldest in the league. Only the Dolphins (27.8) were older in 2023. Contributions came from players of varying experience, such as in the linebacker room where AJ Klein, 32, and rookie Dorian Williams, 22, worked together in harmony.

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“That’s all you can preach as older guys for the younger guys to get on the field and know what they’re doing,” Hyde said. “…We have a foundation here, we have a culture. No matter who is on the field, we expect you to go out there, do your job and make plays. There is no has no compensation.”

Big questions arise about how different a group that has had to deal with missed games and new personnel might look next season. For now, after allowing 22 or fewer points during a six-game winning streak, the unit appears to be clicking at the right time with big scoring for the rest of the playoffs.

“You can probably only name a few weeks, a few weeks, where someone, a key player, wasn't injured,” Oliver said. “You can name the weeks where the guy that was injured, his replacement stepped in or it was the next guy that made a big play. So, we just have that mindset and that trust in each other and we've worked all year for this, so we're just here to play.”