The Buffalo Bills kicked off their 2025 season with a thrilling 41-40 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens, a game that showcased both the brilliance of their offense and the vulnerabilities of their defense. While quarterback Josh Allen rightfully earned praise for his heroic performance, defensive tackle Ed Oliver also delivered a game-changing performance that shouldn't overshadow the Bills' defensive shortcomings.
Oliver's impact was undeniable. With just over three minutes remaining and the Bills trailing 40-32, Oliver forced a crucial fumble from Ravens running back Derrick Henry, giving Buffalo possession inside enemy territory. This turnover was a turning point, leading to an Allen touchdown that closed the gap. Oliver's stat line included six tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and the forced fumble. Coach Sean McDermott noted Oliver's presence was felt on the sideline. Oliver himself stated that he felt like he picked up right where he left off at the end of last season and was happy the game-changing play "rolled my way". Rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker mentioned that Oliver essentially called his own number to get on the field for the game-changing play.
Despite Oliver's heroics, the Bills' defense struggled for much of the game. The Ravens amassed a significant amount of rushing yards. Baltimore built leads of 27-13 and 34-19, and were in a position to run out the clock before Oliver's forced fumble. McDermott acknowledged the defense fell short of the team's standard, attributing the issues to youth, poor positioning, and a lack of fundamentals. The Bills' safety tandem of Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop, as well as veteran middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, faced scrutiny.
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich admitted that while limiting the Ravens to a couple of field goals and a touchdown on three drives inside the Buffalo 20-yard line was a bright spot, the overall performance was "unacceptable". The Bills struggled to contain Henry, who ran for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
Several factors contributed to the Bills' defensive struggles in 2024, including injuries, personnel changes, and coaching transitions. The team's missed tackle rate was also a concern, with several defensive players exceeding a 10% rate. The Bills also allowed 2.21 yards after contact per attempt, ranking 20th in the NFL.
Looking ahead, the Bills will need to address these defensive deficiencies if they hope to achieve their goal of competing for a Super Bowl title. While Oliver's individual brilliance is a major asset, a more consistent and reliable performance from the entire defense is essential for sustained success. The Bills face the New York Jets in Week 2, another opponent with a strong running game, providing an immediate opportunity to improve.
