Bills’ alarming defensive weakness has analysts concerned after Dolphins exploited it ruthlessly

Buffalo Bills’ defense allowed Miami Dolphins to convert 66% of third downs

The Bills were admittedly without two key pieces, Ed Oliver and Matt Milano, but it does not excuse allowing an out-of-confidence Miami Dolphins offense to convert 10 out of 15 third downs.

It is more alarming when considering that they ranked 30th in conversion rate on third downs last season, too, under DC Bobby Babich’s first year in the role.

The Ravens and the Bills were two of the top five worst defenses from Week 1, unsurprisingly, with 81 points being scored.

The Bills’ defense against the Baltimore Ravens allowed 6/11 conversions on third down, a marginally better rate than the game against the Dolphins on Thursday Night.

A clear anomaly was the week two win over the New York Jets, in which the Bills defense didn’t allow a single third down conversion on 11 attempts.

It has got NFL analysts concerned about the defense going forward. Popular X account Anthony Cover 1 said: “The Bills defense allowed Miami to convert on 10 of 15 third downs. That cannot continue against better teams. That’s a hard way to live.”

NFL and Dallas Cowboys analyst Marcus Mosher quoted that post, saying, “It’s just a bad defense. And we are seeing it earlier in the season than usual.”

Damon Amendolara said it plainly: “Just like the opener against the Ravens, there’s so much the Bills defense needs to work on after this game.”

Ultimately, a key interception from Terrel Bernard, whom the Bills paid handsomely in the offseason, sealed the game against the Dolphins. But if it’s not addressed, better teams will expose it.

Josh Allen’s security in the turnover battle is bailing out the Buffalo Bills defense

An interesting fact for NFL fans who love their stats, as per ESPN: “The win marks the 25th consecutive game for the Bills without losing the turnover battle (including playoffs), the longest streak in NFL history.”

While the Super Bowl continued to elude Josh Allen last season, stats like those from the reigning MVP are what get you to the AFC Championship in the first place.

Unfortunately for Josh Allen, whose previous turnover problems are a long distant issue in the past, that means very little when the opposing defense cannot stop teams efficiently on third down.

While Lamar Jackson is more prone to turnovers in the playoffs, the Ravens QB has the same issue with the defense helping him out when it matters.

Patrick Mahomes has bested both Allen and Jackson every time they’ve clashed in the playoffs, and the Kansas City Chiefs‘ defense has helped him to do so more often than not.