The Buffalo Bills, widely regarded as Super Bowl contenders, are grappling with some troubling trends as they approach the postseason. Chief among these is their alarming propensity for penalties, an issue that has become increasingly glaring over the past three games.
A Penalty Problem
In their last three outings, the Bills have averaged 8.7 penalties per game, ranking fourth-most in the NFL during this span. This discipline issue has coincided with defensive struggles, including two games where they allowed 40+ points and a matchup against the New England Patriots in which they surrendered 14 first-quarter points to a team averaging only 17 points per game.
Head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged the severity of the issue after their recent win against New England.
“Yeah, it is,” McDermott said when asked if the penalties were concerning. “Six of them were pre-snap. So, that’s not good enough. And I think they [the Patriots] had five penalties overall. We had 13 overall, six of which were pre-snap. So we’ve got to come out with more discipline and can’t beat ourselves.”
A Near-Meltdown Against New England
The magnitude of the problem was on full display late in the fourth quarter against the Patriots. Leading by 10 points, the Bills committed five defensive penalties—three defensive pass interference calls, an unnecessary roughness penalty, and an encroachment—on a single Patriots drive. This series of miscues gave New England multiple chances to score, and quarterback Drake Maye eventually found the end zone to close the gap to three points.
Fortunately for Buffalo, they recovered the ensuing onside kick and managed to run out the clock. However, the game highlighted a troubling lack of discipline that could prove costly in higher-stakes scenarios.
Cracks in the Armor
Penalties are not the only concern for the Bills. Over recent weeks, other troubling patterns have emerged:
- Slow Starts: A lack of urgency early in games has put the team in precarious positions.
- Defensive Struggles on Third Downs: The defense has struggled to get off the field, allowing opponents to extend drives and rack up points.
These issues, combined with the penalties, suggest the Bills’ once-strong foundation may be showing cracks.
Shared Responsibility
While much of the blame often falls on the coaching staff, players must also take accountability for their execution. Pre-snap penalties, in particular, are mental errors that require greater focus and discipline from the entire team.
Looking Ahead
The Bills have championship aspirations, but these issues could derail their postseason dreams if left unaddressed. Cleaning up penalties, improving situational discipline, and rediscovering their defensive edge will be critical as they prepare for tougher competition in the playoffs.
Buffalo’s talent is undeniable, but as the postseason looms, the margin for error becomes razor-thin. The Bills will need to tighten up in all facets to realize their Super Bowl potential.
