Buffalo Bills news, 10/18: has the defense improved?

Bills Focus: Defense Excels in Sacks and Picks - VIDEO - BuffaloBills.com

"Chris Brown takes a look at how the Bills defense through six games has shown vast improvement when it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback and coming up with interceptions. "

Kiko Alonso of Buffalo Bills tops list of best rookies - NFL.com

"1. Kiko Alonso, Buffalo Bills linebacker: The No. 46 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft leads the NFL in tackles (66) and interceptions (4). Although Alonso can thank a generous hometown scorer for the inflated tackles total, he's still been a difference-maker in Mike Pettine's defense." Robert Woods gets an honorable mention.

Lawson and Hughes solidifying the edges - BuffaloBills.com

"According to ProFootballFocus, Manny Lawson ranks eighth and Jerry Hughes ranks 15th among outside linebackers in the league. Only three other teams have two outside linebackers in the top 15, and they come from some of the best defenses in the league at Baltimore, Kansas City and San Francisco."

With all these new additions to the defense doing so well and "excelling in sacks and picks," why isn't the record better? Buffalo's offense has scored more than 20 points in every game, a stat that only the Denver Broncos can claim. On a per-play basis, the stats look better but the number of plays run against the defense is staggering. They need better third down percentages on both sides of the ball, for starters.

More clicks

New traffic pattern considered for Bills games - City & Region - The Buffalo News
"There are tentative plans to have eastbound traffic only on Route 20A from Drive 1 and Regional Club Drive to Route 219, Orchard Park Police Chief Mark Pacholec said Wednesday night."

Bills notebook: Bad ankle keeps Spiller from cutting - Sports - The Buffalo News
"It’s keeping me from possibly turning in big plays, but I still go out there and just try to give it all I can," he said. "It’s all about just having confidence in planting off it. Once I do, I think I’ll be fine. It’s getting closer and closer to me getting back to 100 percent."

Doug Marrone still mulling over backup quarterback decision - Press Coverage - The Buffalo News
"Right now, I mean, we're still going with Matt, working with Matt to get him up to speed," Marrone said today. "I think at the end of the week we'll make that decision. You know, I think it's too early for us right now."

WGR 550 SportsRadio - WR Johnson Back To Bills Practice In Full
"Johnson had previously declared that Wednesday's session would be a big test, but upon his heightened workload just a day after, the back apparently responded very well. Head coach Doug Marrone will provide the wide receiver's official status for Sunday after Friday's practice, along with all the other players listed on the injury report."

Should Buffalo Bills tell C.J. Spiller to give it a rest? - ESPN
Mike Rodak makes the case for and against sitting Spiller until he's healthy.

Double Coverage: Bills at Dolphins - Miami Dolphins Blog - ESPN
He's back... James Walker, the Miami Dolphins writer for ESPN, chats it up with Mike Rodak to preview this weekend's game.

Breaking Down The Bills - MiamiDolphins.com
"Examining the Dolphins opponent’s strengths and weaknesses"