Edge rusher Greg Rousseau has breakout performance as Bills top Cardinals

During Buffalo’s week one win against the Cardinals, one player stood out on the defensive side of the ball: edge rusher Greg Rousseau.

Rousseau totaled three sacks on Kyler Murray. The final sack forced a fumble that was recovered by the Bills and resulted in the go-ahead touchdown. His first sack came in the Cardinals’ first drive and the second came in the third quarter, forcing Arizona’s first punt of the game.

“It’s a blessing, I’m just happy to be out there with the guys that I’m out there with, because that’s what it’s all about, you know,” Rousseau said following his single-game career high performance. “One day it might be me. The next second, it’s somebody else making the plays. So just feeding off of each other’s energy. It’s just a blessing to be out here, just grateful for the opportunity.”

Head coach Sean McDermott recognized Rousseau’s breakout performance and gave him credit for translating practice to the game. Since being drafted in the first round in 2021, McDermott said his edge rusher has shown growth.

“Big time day,” McDermott said. “I love that he carried over to the game what he had shown in training camp and the last couple weeks in practice. That’s big. When you can take how you do things from practice and do it in the game, that’s a mindset. That’s also growth and maturation in itself.”

Rousseau’s performance ties Ben Williams (three in 1983) for the most sacks by a Bills player in a season opener.

Fellow edge rusher Von Miller also attested to Rousseau’s historical accomplishment, describing him as one of the best at his position in the NFL.

“We speak the same language up there, we’re seeing the same things, so when he wins, I win,” Miller said. “It’s just a great feeling seeing him grow, seeing him develop into one of the premier pass rushers in this league.”

Rousseau talked about “four equals one” mindset with the defensive line. It’s a feeling that, even if he doesn’t get to the quarterback, someone else will.

“Just being out there with ten other dawgs every single play… we all just got that mindset,” Rousseau said. “When we had our chances, when the game was declared and one-dimensional (for the Cardinals), we took advantage of it.”

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