1 – Frazier calls Tre'Davious White a 'marvel'
Ask any Buffalo fan who should have won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2017, and they would likely all have the same answer: cornerback Tre'Davious White.
White was a lockdown cornerback in his rookie season, totaling 69 tackles, 18 pass deflections and four interceptions. The Shreveport, LA native was a star in Buffalo's secondary that stood out as one of the league's best.
White's strong play has continued into his sophomore season, as he has recorded 10 tackles and one pass deflection through the first three games of the 2018 campaign. White shut star Minnesota wideout Stefon Diggs down in the Bills' Week 3 contest with the Vikings, limiting him to just four receptions for 17 yards.
Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier feels as though White was fantastic on Sunday, calling the 23-year-old an invaluable member of the Bills' defense.
"He's a marvel, Tre'Davious at times," Frazier said. "To realize that he's only in his second season and here we are, matching him up with other people's top receivers, and we did some of that in his rookie year, as well. He doesn't blink. He competes every single snap. He prepares the way you need to prepare during the course of the week. He's really amazing in a lot of ways. He allows us to do some things that we wouldn't otherwise be able to do."
2 - Bills defenders earn high marks from PFF
The Bills' defense came to play in Buffalo's Week 3 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
The defense worked together as a cohesive unit on Sunday. Buffalo's front seven got to quarterback Kirk Cousins early and often, making life rather simple for the secondary. When the Bills' defensive backs were called upon to make plays, they delivered, looking rather solid in coverage throughout the majority of the game. Minnesota struggled to get anything going on offense for much of the game, gaining only 45 yards in the first half. The Vikings' only points came in garbage time.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jerry Hughes led the way for Buffalo on defense in Week 3. The outlet gave Hughes an overall grade of 93.4, the highest grade amongst all Bills defenders. Hughes wreaked havoc on Minnesota tackle Riley Reiff on Sunday, consistently getting past him on the edge. The defensive end totaled one sack and two quarterback hits last weekend.
Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander and safety Micah Hyde also earned praise from PFF. Alexander's pass deflection and fumble recovery landed him an overall grade of 90.5. Hyde recorded eight tackles and one pass deflection on Sunday, earning a grade of 89.6.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds earned the highest overall grade of his young career in Week 3, receiving an 85.8. Edmunds was efficient in coverage and made a few big tackles, leading the team with 10. He also deflected a pass.
3 - Peter King gives Allen, Daboll Week 3 awards
After scoring a combined 23 points in their first two games of the 2018 season, Buffalo's offense was due for a breakout.
This long-awaited offensive eruption came in the first half of the team's Week 3 matchup with the Vikings. Rookie quarterback Josh Allen led the Bills to 27 first half points, silencing the notoriously energetic Minnesota crowd. Allen shined in his first road start, completing 68-percent of his passes for 196 yards and a touchdown. The 22-year-old also showcased his athleticism in the 27-6 win, rushing for 39 yards and two scores.
Allen impressed members of the national media with his Week 3 outing. NBC analyst Peter King gave the rookie "offensive player of the week" honors after Buffalo's win.
Leapt over tall linebackers (Anthony Barr, in this case) in a single bound on a third-and-10 to breathe life into the Bills' last touchdown drive in a 27-6 shocker at Minnesota. Allen's numbers can't match most of his peers' on this day (15-26, 196 yards, one touchdown, no picks), but he and the Bills didn't turn it over in the raucous environment of the Vikings' stadium. In a big and challenging week for a team in semi-crisis, Allen was the steady quarterback force he was drafted to be.
King was also impressed with the game that Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll called, naming him his "coach of the week." The writer praised the coordinator's aggressiveness, noting that he relied on the run even though running back LeSean McCoy was inactive.
It was a very anti-2018 offensive game plan for the Bills on Sunday. They called 38 runs and 25 passes, a risky game plan without veteran LeSean McCoy (bruised ribs) and a rookie quarterback making his second start. Funny thing, it worked like a charm, with the Bills winning easily behind 36 minutes in time of possession. Credit to Daboll, who came from Nick Saban's staff at Alabama and inherited a dysfunctional quarterback situation. Didn't faze him or the Bills a bit, at least this Sunday. Smart way to play this game behind the 8-ball.
