Buffalo Bills' former first round pick already on Pro Bowl track after monster Week 1 performance

Early on, the Buffalo Bills got hit in the mouth by the Arizona Cardinals. Their defense wasn't able to stop the run, couldn't slow down Kyler Murray, and was struggling to generate pressure.

All of that changed as the game went on. Adjustments were made, the coaching staff dialed up some different looks, and the players settled in to play a physical, disciplined style of football for much of the game, as Buffalo ended up winning 32-28.

One key to the game – the pass rush, namely Greg Rousseau , who sacked Murray three times and forced a fumble. Rousseau, who had a terrific training camp and preseason, is primed for a major breakout this season. This first game certainly puts him on track to be a force on the Buffalo defense.

"It's just a blessing to be out there," Rousseau told the media.

He seems locked in on contributing, not on personal accolades. Much like what has been talked about with the offense, the defense seems to be viewing the season with an "everybody eats" mentality.

"The mindset on rushing up front is, knowing if I don't get it, somebody else can get it, you know what I'm saying?" Rousseau said.

Greg Rousseau wasn't the only one to get to Murray, as Von Miller made his presence felt as well.

"I mean, you think about it for so long, like you think about it all last year, then when you get hurt, like, 'now what?' Can't wait to get a sack, can't wait to get a sack, and then when you get the sack, it's just you act like you've been there before." Miller said when asked what it felt like to get a sack in his first game back. "I'm not gonna lie, it definitely felt good. You know after the type of season that I went through, and the type of season that we all went through last year, to come in here and get multiple sacks and really just do what we do and go out there and showcase everything that we've been working on throughout the off season, it feels good."

Miller getting back in the stat sheet is huge, and he looked explosive and powerful especially late in the game, when he saw a majority of the snaps in Arizona's clear pass-rushing situations. Miller being able to be a late-game pass rusher that can get home in close games would be a huge benefit to the Buffalo defense.

The adjustments that were made and the play of the Buffalo defense in the second half in particular were crucial, and they'll look to carry that momentum in pass rush into a Thursday Night Football game in Miami on a short week.

Related: Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady points out a key to victory in their Week 1 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals

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