Buffalo Bills show different defensive tendencies against Ravens

Buffalo Rumblings analyst Bruce Nolan highlights that the Buffalo Bills adopted significantly different defensive tendencies against the Baltimore Ravens. The Bills recorded season-high marks in blitz rate (61.3%), man coverage (54.8%), and middle-of-field closed looks, while entirely abandoning press coverage. However, Nolan notes these major adjustments must be viewed through the lens of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson injuring his thumb on the opening play from scrimmage.

Jackson was replaced by Tyler Huntley and later Joe Fagnano, leaving uncertainty over whether Buffalo's aggressive off-man and heavy-blitz game plan was matchup-specific. Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady did confirm that defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will continue calling plays from the coaches' booth after doing so successfully against Baltimore.