Coming into the 2024 season, the entire NFL knew that Buffalo had undergone significant change, specifically on the defensive side of the football. The Bills lost 22 seasons of NFL experience in the secondary when Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde went separate ways in the offseason. Things would look even bleaker when slot corner Taron Johnson suffered a forearm injury seven plays into the season.
Major gaps and injuries on defense led to a significant opportunity for a pair of former UB Bulls. Buffalo’s corner Cam Lewis and safety Ja’Marcus Ingram have run with the opportunity and arguably are the two most vital players on the defense.
Through three games Cam Lewis has 22 total tackles (2nd on BUF), one interception, one pass breakup and has been heavily utilized in secondary blitzes. Defensive Coordinator Bobby Babich has used Lewis’s flexibility as well. Lewis has played at both slot corner and safety this season. His versatile skillset has let Babich and company be creative in concepts and schemes.
As for Ja’Marcus Ingram, he has been just as vital for the 8th-ranked Bills defense. Ingram has recorded two interceptions (1TD), four pass breakups (one game-winning PBU week one), a 16.7 passer rating when targeted, and one sack. Ingram’s progression has been crucial to the Bills success.
Lewis and Ingram’s success has been pivotal to the Bills 3-0 start. If neither of these two former Bulls stepped up, it would be two areas for opposing offenses to pick on each week. Buffalo would not be undefeated if it weren’t for the play of Cam Lewis and Ja’Marcus Ingram.