Bills' set for huge boost for the playoff push following their bye week after Sean McDermott's surprising update
This week is all about the Kansas City Chiefs, and rightly so. They're the hurdle that the Bills have to clear in order to reach their playoff goals. There will be plenty of time to discuss that. This update is about what happens after that game is done.Speaking with the media on Monday following the […]
This week is all about the Kansas City Chiefs, and rightly so. They're the hurdle that the Bills have to clear in order to reach their playoff goals. There will be plenty of time to discuss that. This update is about what happens after that game is done.
Speaking with the media on Monday following the Bills' 30-20 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Bills head coach Sean McDermott provided a bit of a shocking update that should have Bills Mafia thrilled — the Bills are opening the 21-day practice window for superstar linebacker Matt Milano.
McDermott quickly added that Milano will not be playing in this week's game against the Chiefs, and with the team on Bye the following week, it gives Milano a couple more weeks to get back into the swing of things and be ready to go for a pivotal playoff push.
The team is 8-2 and in a commanding lead in their own division, with the Jets in second place with only a 3-7 record. There's no need to rush Milano back. The Buffalo training staff would be wise to take their time and make sure that he is fully healed and healthy and ready to go for a playoff run.
With Milano set to return at some point after the bye, potentially for a home Monday Night Football matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13, it raises tough choices about the linebacker core for head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to have to figure out.
In Milano's absence, Dorian Williams has been filling in at linebacker, and he's largely done a great job. Especially against the run, Williams' athleticism and quick trigger have made him a tough customer. His 36 stops and 67 tackles both lead the team by a wide margin. Williams is great against the run, but he has deficiencies in pass coverage. By all accounts, he's played his way into a starting linebacker spot, but how do they get him on the field? With a healthy Milano, I don't think they do.
In Sunday's matchup with the Colts, Williams and Terrel Bernard anchored the linebacker group, with Taron Johnson coming on as a nickel and playing every single defensive snap. No other linebacker on the team saw more than five snaps in the game.
When Milano is back in the fold, he and Bernard are going to lead the way, and Johnson is simply far too important to this defense, as is Bernard and Milano. This will continue to be a nickel-heavy approach, Williams will likely find himself resorting to a reserve role on the defense, with Milano once again taking over his spot on the field.
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.
