Former Bills veteran comes out of retirement for the best reason possible, and Bills Mafia is loving every second of it
Shaq Thompson has been playing so well that a former Bills veteran came out of retirement.
The Buffalo Bills pulled off an exciting win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14 that had everything fans could have asked for. Snow game: check. Quarterback Josh Allen doing unthinkable things on the football field: check. A defensive touchdown late in the game, swinging the momentum back to Buffalo: check.
For one of the final games in Highmark Stadium, it was an instant classic. Allen called out the Bills Mafia after the contest for staying this time, as the team mounted another fourth-quarter comeback, much like they did in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Shaq Thompson has stepped up in a big way
Several defensive players stepped up big in the moments that mattered the most, but one player in particular is getting his flowers in a big way, and even has a former Bills veteran come out of retirement to make sure the world knows just how legit he is.
Linebacker Shaq Thompson has been a revelation on defense, and former Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is taking notice.
“Haven’t been on in a minute, but the way @ShaqThompson_54 is balling got me all excited. #GoBills,” Lorenzo wrote.
Thompson has shone after injuries forced him on the field
Thompson has been more impactful and productive than even team captain Terrel Bernard, prompting fans to pound the table for a change at the position. One option would be to move Bernard to the weak-side linebacker once he’s healthy, and keep Thompson in the middle.
The run defense looks completely different with Thompson on the field; he’s vicious in the gaps and has led the defense well in Bernard’s absence. He’s even taken on more of a leadership role within the team, giving speeches and getting the guys ready for battle. In the second half of the season, he’s been one of the best defenders for Buffalo, flat out.
He’s earned himself a 73.7 rush defense grade, according to Pro Football Focus, helping the team in one of the biggest areas of need in stopping the run. Once again, against the Bengals, the Bills shut down the run, thanks in part to the work Thompson put in. Bengals running back Chase Brown was held to only 23 yards on 12 carries, which is an encouraging sign to see at this point in the season.
At this rate, Thompson isn’t just filling in; he’s becoming a cornerstone. If he keeps playing like this, the Bills’ defense might have found an important spark for the playoff push.
Buffalo Bills News
‘We’re not where we want to be’ – Bills’ Sean McDermott issues strong postgame reality check after win vs. Bengals
A heck of a response from head coach Sean McDermott after the game.
