After starting the 2025 NFL season 4-0, the Buffalo Bills are now seen as an AFC favorite to play in the Super Bowl. Despite their strong start and positive reviews from NFL observers, the team is not a finished product. One area where the Bills have struggled in their first four games is stopping their opponents’ rushing attack.
So far this season, Buffalo has overcome its biggest defensive weakness and continued to find success. However, the Bills’ first four opponents have a combined record of 2-14. Their strong start could be more about the weakness of their opponents than Buffalo’s lack of run-stopping ability.
After four games, Buffalo’s defense ranks 1st in pass defense and 31st in run defense. This week, the Bills face AFC East rival, the New England Patriots. The Patriots are almost guaranteed to try to exploit Buffalo’s weak front seven. In their first four games, the Bills have allowed 164.3 rushing yards per game.
Finding a solution to this dilemma is crucial for a Buffalo Super Bowl run. Winning their first Super Bowl in team history depends on it. When analyzing the situation, Buffalo has several options for strengthening its interior defensive line. There is no single, easy fix. The most effective solution is likely a mix of three or four of the five solutions we are presenting to the Bills’ front office.
Solution #1: Bills Plays the Waiting Game
A lack of depth on the Bills’ interior line significantly hinders their ability to stop opponents’ run games. This issue arises from a series of unfortunate events. During the offseason, Buffalo signed defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi; however, both tested positive for PEDs after signing and received suspensions for the season’s first half. As a result, while they can start practicing this week, they may not play until Week 9. Compounding matters, injuries have further weakened the line, with DeWayne Carter sidelined before Week 1 and Ed Oliver injured in Week 2. Given these setbacks, unless the Bills pursue a trade, they will likely have to wait for these defensive linemen to return later this season.
Solution #2: Trade with the Dallas Cowboys for Young DT
Alternatively, if Buffalo opts for a more aggressive strategy to address their defensive front-seven issues, there is one clear route. They could craft a trade proposal with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire defensive tackle Mazi Smith before the trade deadline. Smith’s appeal lies in his status as a 2023 NFL first-round pick with two seasons left on his rookie contract. The drawback is that Buffalo will likely have to part with draft capital to secure Smith, and there is no certainty he will fit seamlessly into the Bills’ defensive system. Additionally, when their currently sidelined defensive lineman returns, the Bills must plan how to integrate Smith into the rotation.
Solution #3: Blitz More on 1st and 2nd Down
Another way to strengthen their run defense is for the Bills’ defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to refine the defensive strategy. If the Bills take a proactive approach, they can implement distinctive run blitz packages each week on first and second down. Effective run blitzes will force offenses into more third-and-long situations, allowing the Bills to leverage their strong pass defense for stops. However, frequent run blitzes carry the risk that if unsuccessful, opposing teams might exploit this aggression with play-action passes. The Bills should blitz without overcommitting defensive backs to the box.
Solution #4: Start Fast on Offense
The Bills’ answer to their struggling run defense may be found on offense. While Buffalo struggles to stop the run, its offense is among the best in the league. If Buffalo scores early and forces opponents off the field quickly, teams like the New England Patriots will struggle to stick to their run game. That would force a young quarterback like Drake Maye to take more risks, which would likely lead to more mistakes. As long as Buffalo builds an early lead and pressures opponents’ offenses, the impact of their opponents’ run game can be limited.
Solution #5: Buffalo Must Force More Turnovers
All of these strategies must be combined with the Bills’ ability to force turnovers. For the last two seasons, Buffalo has excelled at taking the ball away from their opponents. And that has been a big part of the Bills’ 4-0 start, including Ed Oliver forcing Ravens running back Derrick Henry to fumble the ball in the fourth quarter. Or the Bills’ pass defense being opportunistic and intercepting passes to end their opponents’ drives. Forcing turnovers tends to be contagious; therefore, if Buffalo can be more proactive in forcing turnovers early in the game, it can make it difficult for their opponents to commit to using their run game.
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