ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Dealing with significant defensive injuries isn't new for the Buffalo Bills -- recent years have been littered with them.
The start of the 2024 season has been no different. During training camp, the Bills lost linebacker Matt Milano to a torn biceps for at least a few months, just as he was working his way back from last season's right leg injury that ended his season in October.
Nickel corner Taron Johnson -- a 2023 second team All-Pro -- suffered a forearm injury on the first drive of the team's Week 1 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Middle linebacker Terrel Bernard suffered a pectoral injury in the first half of the Week 2 win vs. the Miami Dolphins. Both will miss at least Weeks 3-4,
Despite being without three key contributors, the Bills' defense has done its job, holding the last two opponents to 10 points in each game and allowing just 4.4 net yards per passing attempt and 4.2 yards per plays, respectively -- both second-fewest in the league under new defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.
The unit has been aided by the strong offensive performance -- led by quarterback Josh Allen having the best statistical three-game stretch of his career. And the emphasis from coaches and players is that the meetings and extra work put in by players lower on the depth chart are making an impact. While the defense has stepped up heading into Sunday's matchup vs. the Baltimore Ravens (8:20 ET, NBC/Peacock), a significant test awaits against a Ravens' offense with quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry that is second in rushing yards per game (203.3).
"I think the defensive coaching staff has done a really good job, led by Bobby. They've done a really good job of developing," Bills coach Sean McDermott said. "They've done a good job of shaping game plans that play to our strengths. ... Then the players themselves taking the ownership of, `Hey, this is my opportunity to step up for the team,' and being ready to do that. And then those players that were already in the starting lineup, continuing to take their game, one by one, up to a new level."
Here's what has stood out for the Bills' defense.
Defensive line
Along with cornerback, the defensive line has been one of the healthier areas for the defense.
The Bills have received a high level of play from a variety of players as expected, including defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. Von Miller's play has been a positive -- he has three sacks in three games, now almost two years removed from his major ACL injury.
Seven players have sacks this year -- for 11 total, tied for fifth. Greg Rousseau has five.
Linebackers
When Milano went out, attention turned to 2023 third-round pick Dorian Williams and the steps forward he could take with the 2022 first team All-Pro out. He leads the team in tackles with 30, and has shown improvement over the initial stretch of the season. With Bernard missing time, 2022 seventh-round pick Baylon Spector is getting his first career starts. He filled in well when he came in for the Dolphins game -- tied the team-high with 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss -- but will be a key player to watch against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
"We have a more athletic type of linebacker. It's not the 6-foot-4, 250-pound linebackers, like they used to be. The type that we have, we want speed guys," Miller said. "... They don't make the same mistake twice, and they're able to learn from their mistakes, and in turn, they're able to just develop their talent and just get better and better and better at a really, really quick way."
Defensive backs
The outside cornerback position is locked down for the Bills with Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford, who has put together an impressive start to the year after flashing in camp. Safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin have been solid overall -- Hamlin had his first career interception versus the Jaguars in Week 3. The Bills are the only team that hasn't given up a play of 30-plus yards.
Johnson's injury has led to versatile defensive back Cam Lewis taking over the starting nickel role, while Ja'Marcus Ingram has found success in the dime package. Lewis will be put to the test in the nickel role, helping with run support against Baltimore.
"I knew Cam was special as soon as I got here last year," Rapp said. "Just the versatility he has, and even Ja'Marcus, man. It's just those two guys, like, they're both Swiss Army knives."
Ingram had a breakout performance against the Dolphins with two interceptions, including a pick-six, and then had a sack versus the Jaguars. In three games, he has four passes defensed, most on the team. His playing time has increased with each game.
"Ja'Marcus is one who's exemplified the idea of, this is how we play here, this is what I need to do to make sure I can carve out a role or a niche for myself, and he's done a tremendous job of doing that," Babich said. "A big thing for us is trust, and he's a guy we can trust. He's a guy that we know what his intentions are every play, and really when you can roll a guy out on the field and say, 'Hey, I trust this dude,' you can lay your head down at night no matter what the outcome is."