Commanders Coach Jack Del Rio Praises 'Really Good' Bills Offense

The Washington Commanders defense has been expected to lead the team this season and will have to do so again to pull off an upset win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders have a tough matchup this week with quarterback Josh Allen bringing his Buffalo Bills squad to FedEx Field looking to ruin the day of DMV football fans everywhere.

To do that the Bills will present a new wrinkle to their offense that we haven't seen in years past, and certainly didn't see as much of the last time the Commanders faced them. 

Last season alone Buffalo was near the bottom of the league when it came to using 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends), but this year the script has been flipped on its head as they now lead the league when it comes to using that specific package.

"They are a concept-driven unit," defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said of the Bills scheme. "Ever since that big-old athletic quarterback has been there, they've been tough to deal with, they've got a really good offense - really good team."

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen breaks a tackle against Washington defensive tackle Daron Payne / © Jamie Germano, Democrat & Chronicle

That concept Buffalo is following this season is one of being more physical up front with the ability to also aggress downfield by using the same offensive formations. Effectively preventing opposing defenses from keying in on personnel groupings and packages. 

This increase in ability to disguise what the offense is doing from one play to another has also increased the Bills' ability to go for it - and convert - fourth downs. Something they did four times against the Raiders last weekend.

"That's in their DNA, that's becoming more and more popular," Del Rio said. "It's prevalent in the league right now. Teams are being aggressive...and certainly, they have shown that."

Buffalo has also shown an ability to beat Washington in recent times winning four of the last five matchups and having lost just once since the turn of the century. 

The last time the Commanders beat the Bills, however, it was inside FedEx Field, and came in the last season this franchise had nine or more wins (2015) - a mark they hope to reach and exceed this year.