Buffalo Bills’ defensive powerhouse, Von Miller, has finally opened up about the team’s decision to sideline him in Week 17 against the New England Patriots.
Surprisingly, Miller didn’t carry any injury designation leading up to the critical Week 17 clash. Nevertheless, the Bills made a calculated move to list him as inactive for this must-win game. The result? A nail-biting 27-21 victory that propelled the Bills to a 10-6 season record, setting the stage for a high-stakes Week 18 prime-time showdown with the Miami Dolphins, where the AFC East crown hangs in the balance.
According to insights from Ryan O’Halloran of The Buffalo News, Von Miller expressed his endorsement for the Bills’ decision to bench him in Week 17. He acknowledged his own underperformance this season, recognizing that he had not met his usual standards. In his own words, “I’m my biggest critic, and from my standpoint, I wasn’t playing up to the standard.”
#Bills DE Von Miller on being healthy scratch last week for first time in career:
“I’m my biggest critic and from my standpoint, I wasn’t playing up to the standard.”
Said it was “right decision.” Doesn’t know if he’ll be active Sunday night.
— Ryan O’Halloran (@ryanohalloran) January 4, 2024
In contrast to his previous dominant seasons, Miller’s 2023 campaign has been notably lackluster. Having played 11 games this season, he has yet to secure a single sack, a far cry from his eight sacks and one forced fumble in 11 games with Buffalo last year. His Pro Football Focus grade for 2023 stands at a dismal 44.4, a sharp decline compared to his impressive 85.8 grade from the previous year.
Despite Von Miller’s struggles this season, the Bills head into Week 18 with a formidable No. 4 scoring defense, allowing a mere 18.6 points per game. Their pass rush has been nothing short of stellar, with Leonard Floyd (10.5 sacks), Ed Oliver (9.5), Terrel Bernard (6.5), and A.J. Epenesa (6.5) all delivering exceptional performances on the field.
As the Bills brace for their showdown with the Dolphins, they continue to rely on their stout defense and a multifaceted pass rush to pave the way towards AFC East supremacy.