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Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said Tuesday that he is evaluating every decision he makes after another high-scoring game exposed the unit’s inconsistency.
The Bills improved to 4-1 with Monday’s 37-34 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, but Buffalo has allowed at least 30 points in three of its first five games.
Through Week 5, the Bills have surrendered 141 points, averaging 28.2 per game and ranking 28th in the NFL. Their offense has averaged 32.8 points, helping Buffalo remain atop the AFC East despite the defensive struggles. The unit has also struggled to limit opponents’ total yardage and passing production.
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The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the defensive coordinator’s assessment, which began with scrutiny of his own decisions.
“It’s too inconsistent to pretend that we’re building and working and making improvements. Everything’s being evaluated right now. Starting with every decision I’m making.”
The Rams gained 454 total yards Monday as Matthew Stafford threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns. Puka Nacua caught a career-high 17 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills also allowed the Rams to drive for a tying score in the final seconds of regulation. Kyren Williams punched it in from the 1-yard line with five seconds remaining, sending the game to overtime.
Buffalo produced a critical overtime play when Greg Rousseau blocked Harrison Mevis’ potential game-winning field goal. Tyler Bass later secured the victory with a 45-yard kick.
Leonhard is in his first season as Buffalo’s defensive coordinator after serving as the Denver Broncos’ defensive pass game coordinator. He has installed an aggressive, attacking scheme built around a 3-4 base.
The coordinator has previously raised concerns about inconsistent results, and Tuesday’s remarks rejected the suggestion that the unit is steadily improving. He did not identify specific personnel changes in the quoted comments.
The Bills sit at 4-1 despite their defensive struggles, with Leonhard reviewing the unit’s performance and his own decisions through five games.
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