Bills’ Defensive Breakthrough Comes With a Major Caveat

Buffalo limited Baltimore to 144 yards and 10 first downs, its strongest defensive showing of the season, as the Bills improved to 6-1. But the Ravens lost Lamar Jackson after one snap and backup Tyler Huntley after five more, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to make his NFL debut with the game underway.

Fagnano completed 47.6% of his passes for 91 yards and threw an interception. He was sacked three times and lost a fumble. Baltimore finished with 76 rushing yards, while Derrick Henry had 53 on the ground and one touchdown. Zay Flowers, who entered the week among the league’s leading receivers, had no catches on five targets.

Buffalo’s defense had struggled earlier in the season, giving up at least 350 yards and 29 points in five games. The Bills’ offense, led by Josh Allen, has helped compensate, averaging 33.3 points per game. Coach Joe Brady praised the defense but said the performance should become its standard, not a reason to assume its problems are solved.

Coordinator Jim Leonhard also cautioned against declaring the unit fixed, saying it had done it for one week. The Bills next visit Minnesota for a Monday night matchup. Later challenges include games against Kansas City, New England, Green Bay and Chicago. Buffalo’s secondary is also thin, leaving general manager Brandon Beane to consider whether to add help before the November 10 trade deadline.