The Buffalo Bills are approaching their final two games of the 2025 NFL regular season with a big matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles at home in Orchard Park.
The Bills are 21-3 in December since the start of the 2020 season, and could be playing their final games at the current Highmark Stadium, depending on how playoff seeding shakes out in the AFC. The team has plenty of motivation to win, but will need key contributions on defense to do so.
Advertisement
Here are three potential X-factors on the Bills defense against the Ravens in Week 17:
LB Matt Milano
Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) reacts after a sack against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Milano is a force of nature who can have a powerful impact on quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, and the game overall. He is also one of the NFL’s top defenders in coverage.
The Eagles have one of the top running backs in football in Saquon Barkley, and they have averaged 174.7 rushing yards over three games in December. Philly also uses tight end Dallas Goedert as a go-to target in a passing game that has struggled this season, and the gritty linebacker can be a difference maker in taking that option away.
Advertisement
Milano can pressure QB Jalen Hurts in a number of ways, in coverage and in the pocket, while helping stop the run.
LB Terrel Bernard
Sep 24, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) celebrates with defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) after recovering a fumble against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Bills’ run defense has yet again struggled this season, ranking around the bottom of the NFL in key statistics against opponents’ ground game. Defensive end Greg Rousseau and linebacker Shaq Thompson have done their part to help stop the run, but the rest of the group has had difficulty doing so, except for some key matchup games.
While Barkley saw a dip in productivity this season compared to last, he’s seen an increase in carries and had his most productive stretch over the last few weeks carrying the ball 63 times for 332 yards and three touchdowns, and causing more missed tackles (17) and rushes of 10 yards or more (10) than any back since the start of the season.
Advertisement
This is one of those key matchups, and Bernard and the linebackers will need to be on top of things.
S Cole Bishop
Cole Bishop #24, Buffalo Bills (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Bishop has had a good season since taking on starting duties and is leading the Bills in tackles (83) and interceptions (3), and also has 2 sacks.
He can impact pass coverage, the run, and the pocket.
Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts ranks 20th in QBR this season and has the 12th-highest bad-throw rate in the league, which means players like Bishop and the secondary could play a key role in taking away targets, and maybe even the football, while also contributing to the pass rush and defending the run.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 3 X-factors on the Bills defense vs. Eagles in Week 17
