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'We took a step forward' | The Bills defense comes up big in scrappy Week 3 win over Chargers

Sep 27, 2026 at 10:08 PM

Seasonal Writing Associate

Buffalo's defense bounced back in a big way on Sunday against the Chargers. After surrendering 31 points in each of the first two games of the year, the unit battled adversity all game long and led the team to a 24-16 comeback victory.

Here's what the group had to say about their big game.

Bills defense allows season-low 16 points

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard knew his group wouldn't be a perfect product out of the gate. Sunday's performance offered encouraging signs for a defense still adjusting to a new scheme.

"The more reps we get with each other, the more comfortable we get, the better we'll be," ILB Terrel Bernard said. "And you know, I feel like we did that [on Sunday]. We took a step forward. Obviously, there's a lot to clean up, but I feel like we really took a step forward."

On top of allowing just 16 points, the Bills defense came away with an interception, while also forcing three punts and four field goals.

"We gave up 62 points in the first two games, so to only give up 16 [on Sunday], that's a big step toward where we're trying to go," safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson said. "It wasn't really dependent on what the offense did [on Sunday]. We were focused on what we could do as a defense."

The defense also dealt with less than favorable field position routinely throughout Sunday's contest. With five turnovers offensively, it was up to the defense to keep the score close and allow for a comeback attempt.

"I'm so proud of the defense… they kept us in the game," head coach Joe Brady said. "... All ball game, their backs were against the wall, and they did a good job of handling it."

As they got time to settle in on Sunday, the defense came through with a successful game plan. The Chargers scored 10 of their 16 points in the first quarter before being held out of the end zone.

"They started out with some stuff that we weren't really, necessarily, keyed into," Bernard said. "But I feel like we did a good job coming to the sideline, figuring some things out and stopping it at the end of the day."

After facing criticism following the first two games, the defense responded with its best performance of the season to this point.

"To come out here and do that and kind of put that to bed, hopefully, we can build on it and keep getting better," Bernard said.

"This group has only been together for three games," Gardner-Johnson said. "Give us time to gel and mesh together, and it's gonna keep rolling."

Rousseau continues historic start to the season

OLB Greg Rousseau continued to be a dominant force for the Buffalo defense to start the year on Sunday. Coming into the game leading the league in sacks, Rousseau tallied two more to bring his total to six through three games.

"He's confident right now," head coach Joe Brady said. "With any player, once you get a little taste of success, you just think like, 'All right, hey, it's coming,' and I think that's where he's at right now… He's playing confidently, and I'll remind him tomorrow that 'No one gives a damn; let's go do it again."

Rousseau became the first Bill to ever record two sacks in each of the first three games of a season. His development as a pass rusher continued to show on Sunday, using his power to collapse the pocket all game long.

"It's great, man; it's a blessing," Rousseau said of making history. "Jim [Leonhard's] got us playing fast, [OLB coach] Bobby April's doing a great job, and it's really just my teammates out there; it takes 11 people. Even though I might get the statistic, it's not just me out there."

The outside linebacker was also a force in the run game against the Chargers, leading the team in solo tackles with five. With his ability to get after the quarterback becoming more prevalent, Brady is focused on what it'll do for the rest of the defensive line.

"It's only going to open it up for opportunities for other people as we continue to game plan, and teams are like, 'Hey, you know what, this guy's had two sacks in every game this year, we want to slide this way,'" Brady said. "It should now open it up for the Ed's, the Deone's, the Chubb's, those guys."

Young corners step up for injured Christian Benford

The defense lost one of its leaders to an injury for the remainder of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter. CB Christian Benford walked off the field with a toe injury with 2:25 left in the third, not returning to the game.

CB Maxwell Hairston and CB Davison Igbinosun were thrust into bigger roles in his absence. Hairston nearly came away with an interception on the first drive of the game, settling in after the dropped pick for a solid day on the outside.

"Max is going to want that first drive back, the one in the end zone, his opportunity, but we just keep working," Brady said.

Igbinosun got his first chance to get consistent playing time in his rookie season and responded with five tackles and a pass breakup in one-on-one coverage.

"As you guys are learning [Igbinosun], that guy definitely doesn't blink," Brady said. "He's as confident as can be, and I love that about him."

Down the stretch, the young corners held up in coverage, keeping a late Los Angeles comeback attempt from happening.

"They had some opportunities in the passing game," Brady said. "Some critical plays getting off the field.

"We've been saying all along it's just about getting those guys opportunities. There's going to come a time we're going to need that. I thought they did a really good job in the communication. Took advantage of this past week, and I'm looking forward to them just continuing to progress."

The youth on the outside rose to the occasion on multiple drives in the close game with time winding down. Veteran players praised how Hairston and Igbinosun handled the spotlight.

"I told [Hairston] and [Igbinosin], 'You're our young guys, but we believe in you the same way we believe in [Benford]. Stay together, make your plays when they come, and play Buffalo Bills football,'" Gardner-Johnson said. "… Our young corners have a lot of confidence to go out there and be aggressive and do what they want to do."