Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander has been a useful NFL player for the last decade, seeing time on defense and special teams for a variety of teams.
Alexander’s play this season has taken things to another level, however. Pressed into a starting role after injuries to other linebackers in Buffalo, Alexander has responded with at least a half-sack in each game and a league-high nine sacks overall while also playing his usual role in the kicking game.
Alexander had one of those sacks against the Patriots in Week Four and Patriots coach Bill Belichick called him “one of the best players we’ve seen all year” while they head into this weekend’s rematch.
“He’s been great,” Belichick said in his Wednesday press conference. “He’s had a great year. [He’s] been a tremendous run player, pass player, every special team, impact player in the kicking game and impact player on defense, hard to block, rushes inside, rushes outside, good tackler, great motor. He’s really good.”
The Bills defense took a step backward last Sunday after playing a major part in the team’s four-game winning streak. Keeping Alexander in check would do a lot to help the Patriots extend the downturn, although doing that has proven to be difficult for any of Buffalo’s opponents so far this season.