Despite the Buffalo Bills’ defensive line issues, assistant head coach Eric Washington demonstrated why having healthy Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones gives them a shot.
The Kansas City Chiefs boasted the most formidable offensive unit in football for five years. When driven out of the structure, quarterback Patrick Mahomes generated things that few are willing to try. He was merciless when operating inside it. Nevertheless, they will fall from grace in 2023.
Without a doubt, Mahomes is the world’s greatest quarterback and has every chance of winning a third Super Bowl. On Sunday, though, the Buffalo Bills—in their least dominant configuration since Mahomes took over—will welcome Kansas City to Western New York.
Travis Kelce, a tight end headed to Canton, hasn’t been his completely dominant self; he hasn’t accumulated 1,000 yards and has scored seven fewer touchdowns than the previous year. After being irrelevant a year ago, the absence of receiver Tyreek Hill has become significant as disagreements and misplaced passes have hampered the receiving room.
Mahomes is forced out of the pocket and so loses access to game-changing options, which increases the significance of Buffalo’s inside pressure. It is now more possible than ever to force Mahomes out of the structure with an offensive strategy.
Eric Washington, the assistant head coach, discussed the significance of interior pressure and how it can affect Sunday’s Divisional Round game.
Protection concepts would undoubtedly like to determine the pocket’s depth, according to Washington. This allows the quarterback to survey the field, practice his reads and progressions, and take a step forward in the pocket if the play gets out of hand. It is imperative that we ensure the opponent loses that.
“That’s a goal we have every week, not just this week. Whether it’s a one-on-one victory or as a team, just kind of denting the pocket, obstructing the quarterback’s looks.”
Buffalo, fortunately for Bills Mafia, may have the best defensive tackles in the league, not just a solid combination.
Ed Oliver was the third-most productive interior lineman with 72 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. After being given a lucrative extension, he was given the responsibility of proving himself, and he has done so. He took over in the Wild Card Round victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a batted pass and seven pressures.
Prior to missing a significant portion of the season due to a pectoral injury, DaQuan Jones was playing at an All-Pro level. When he came back, there was a brief game of catching up before that dominant form emerged. He is the Bills’ best-graded pass rusher and a vital member of the run defensive unit.
With Jones missing Buffalo’s victory in Week 14, Washington is hoping the two can have the same kind of effect as they did the previous year.
“DaQuan did a great job winning his one-on-one and taking the depth out of the pocket when he was with us in Kansas City last year.” After that, Ed was able to work,” Washington stated. “DaQuan suddenly builds up blocks by folding the pocket; hopefully, this gives Ed a little more space to work and move around.”
