Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard told reporters that “everything’s being evaluated,” starting with his own calls, after another high-scoring night left the defense leaning on Josh Allen again.
Buffalo improved to 4-1 with Monday’s 37-34 overtime win at the Los Angeles Rams, then stayed in Southern California ahead of Sunday’s trip to Las Vegas. The celebration did not hide the math. The Bills have allowed at least 30 points in three of five games, surrendered 141 points through Week 5, and rank near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed.
“It’s too inconsistent”
Leonhard, in his first season running Buffalo’s defense after Sean McDermott’s firing, said the unit cannot keep pretending the growing pains are turning into progress.
“It’s time to be good at something, and that’s our struggles right now,” Leonhard said on Tuesday’s Zoom availability. “It’s too inconsistent to pretend that we’re building and working and making improvements. Everything’s being evaluated right now. Starting with every decision I’m making.”
He thanked Allen for playing what he called a Superman role and said relying on the offense to close games is not a sustainable plan. “It has to change. It has to get better,” Leonhard said. “We plan on being in a lot of big games, and it’s our job as a defense to go close them out for wins.”
Leonhard also left the door open to roster moves if the answers are not on the current 53. “This is professional football. If we don’t feel like the answers are there then, yeah, then there gets to be some big conversations,” he said.
Familiar holes keep opening
The Rams racked up 454 yards and 33 first downs, matching the most first downs Buffalo has allowed in a game dating to 1991. Matthew Stafford threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns, and Puka Nacua caught a career-high 17 passes. The Bills have allowed 250 or more passing yards four times already and have converted just one of nine opponent fourth-down tries against them after Los Angeles went 2-for-2.
Buffalo’s defense has also played the second-most snaps in the NFL. Leonhard pointed to that workload after Monday’s 78-snap night and said he needs earlier stops. “I have to be more aggressive in helping us get off the field in some situations to help these guys not get to that fourth quarter and be burned out,” he said.
Part of the fix, he added, is simplifying for a secondary still settling opposite Christian Benford. Rookie Davison Igbinosun started Monday in place of Maxwell Hairston. “There’s a fine line of trying harder and trying smarter,” Leonhard said. “Sometimes, it’s just relax, take a step back and simplify. Slow down.”
Brady’s warning to Cook
On offense, head coach Joe Brady turned the focus to James Cook’s ball security. Cook ranks among the league leaders in rushing but has fumbled four times, including a lost fumble at the Rams’ 20 that ended Buffalo’s first overtime drive before Greg Rousseau’s blocked kick and Tyler Bass’s winner.
“I have all the confidence in him. That’s why I put him right back out there,” Brady said. “But obviously, at some point there has to be consequences.”
The Bills face the Raiders on Sunday while still based out west. Leonhard’s message for the week is blunt: the defense has to stop needing Allen to finish every close game.
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