Bills’ Reason For Super Bowl Optimism Has Defensive Flavor originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Last season, the Buffalo Bills were an offensive juggernaut, led by Josh Allen, who was the league’s MVP, coupled with a stout running game and a passing attack that left defenses unsure of where Allen was going with the ball; it was tough to stop.
But defensively, the unit could be gashed, giving up 40+ points in back-to-back weeks, and then 32 in the AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. For some, that was the franchise’s weakness.
General Manager Brandon Beane wanted to rectify that, and in free agency and the draft, defense was the only item on the menu with pass rushers, defensive tackles and corners all coming to the AFC East champs in the hope that the unit can get some more bang for their buck.
And it is due to the defensive investment that Pro Football Focus has named Buffalo’s defensive improvement as a reason to be optimistic as a Super Bowl contender.
“Buffalo spent most of its offseason trying to improve a defense that finished 28th in PFF grade last season,” Pro Football Focus writes. “The Bills used free agency to bolster the defensive line with Michael Hoecht, Larry Ogunjobi and Joey Bosa. Further complementing that set of players up front are recent draft picks T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson and Deone Walker.
“Walker’s Kentucky teammate, cornerback Maxwell Hairston, is the headliner, though, as he should start at cornerback after posting an 84.8 PFF coverage grade over the past two seasons.”
Given the gauntlet of quarterbacks Buffalo will face if it is to make the Super Bowl, bolstering its pass-rushing stocks with Michael Hoecht, Joey Bosa and Larry Ogunjobi is a good start.
Of course, it all has to come together for the Bills, but this offseason, the franchise has addressed its biggest need with authority.
Now, with Allen and the majority of the offense returning, and a defensive unit that should be better and more ruthless on passing downs, it is no wonder many are putting the Bills at the top of their Super Bowl favorites list.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.