Buffalo Bills show one crucial bright spot that stands out amidst the mess that was the loss to Houston

With the way the Buffalo Bills offense played on Sunday, they had absolutely no business being in a tie game with under a minute left. So why was it still tied? To put it simply, it was the defense. Most notably, it was the return of linebacker Terrel Bernard, who stepped up when the team needed […]

Jon Helmkamp
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Terrel Bernard
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With the way the Buffalo Bills offense played on Sunday, they had absolutely no business being in a tie game with under a minute left. So why was it still tied? 

To put it simply, it was the defense. Most notably, it was the return of linebacker Terrel Bernard, who stepped up when the team needed him the most.

Three weeks ago in Buffalo's dominating Monday Night Football game over the Miami Dolphins, Bernard went down with a pectoral injury that had the potential to be a back-breaking injury. In his stead, the defense played admirably, but it was undeniably a relief when the diagnosis came back as a strain instead of a tear. 

Bernard began ramping up practice in Week 4, but wasn't quite able to return to action. For this week, though, the star linebacker not only made it back on the field, but anchored the Buffalo defense for seemingly every snap. Bernard was in on five tackles, had a pass defensed, and made an equally crucial and impressive interception on CJ Stroud late in the game. 

Bernard has been missed. This ability and spacial awareness over the middle of the field to peel off one right and undercut another for an interception is top tier linebacker play.

Houston got out to an early lead, picking on the safeties particularly with a deep shot to Nico Collins, but, just like last week against Baltimore, the Buffalo defense locked it down in the second half, giving Josh Allen and the offense an opportunity to mount a comeback.

At halftime, Buffalo was down 17-3. Then the defense held Houston to the following second-half drives:

  • Field goal
  • Punt
  • Punt
  • Interception
  • Fumble
  • Punt
  • Field goal

That's incredible work going against Houston's high-powered offense, even if they were down Collins due to a hamstring injury. That's three points in the second half before the offense's botched time management gave the ball back to Houston for a game-winning field goal.

The defense has proven that it's capable of adjusting, and it refuses to give up on games, no matter the score. That's an impressive trait.

While Joe Brady and Allen continue to work on getting the offense figured out, it's going to be up to the defense to keep the Bills in the game, starting next week with a road Monday Night Football matchup in New Jersey against the Jets.

Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.

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