Bills Finding It Difficult To Defend Tight Ends

We believed entering the 2010 season that the Buffalo Bills' biggest weakness defensively was their linebackers. Two games into the season, that belief has been vindicated, as the Bills have been brutalized not just by injury at the position, but by opposing tight ends exposing the inherent weakness of the group - pass coverage.

In their first two games, the Bills have allowed Miami's Anthony Fasano and Green Bay's Jermichael Finley to combine for seven catches and 149 yards. That's over 21 yards per reception, even while the Bills have, for the most part, bottled up some excellent wide receivers to this point. The only starting receiver that has averaged more than 10 yards per reception in Buffalo's first two games is Greg Jennings, who had three grabs for 36 yards on Sunday. It hasn't mattered.

Fasano gouged Buffalo for gains of 21, 15 and 8 yards in Week 1, with the 21-yarder setting up a one-yard Miami score. Finley had gains of 34, 32, 22 and 15 in Week 2. By himself, Finley had more plays of 20 or more yards against the Bills than Buffalo's offense has been able to muster thus far this year.

Things aren't going to get any easier for Buffalo. In Week 3, they get to take on New England's dynamic rookie duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The following week, they'll get the red-hot Dustin Keller. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a tight end on Buffalo's schedule that won't cause the Bills problems, so don't expect this trend to cease any time soon.