One wrinkle that was on display in Pittsburgh was CB Christian Benford shadowing WR DK Metcalf throughout the game. Benford shared postgame that it was in the game plan for him to follow Metcalf no matter what side of the formation the WR lined up on.
“Wherever he was going, I was going,” he said.
McDermott detailed Monday that the Bills don’t always use that approach but felt it was best for this week’s game plan and trusted Benford to get the job done.
“It’s really growth,” he said of Benford. “Last year was one of the first times we ventured into that schematic version of our defense.”
According to NextGenStats, Benford lined up against Metcalf 13 times, 10 of which came in man coverage, and did not allow a single reception during those snaps.
“I thought Christian really did a great job of limiting their number one receiver last night. And give Bobby credit and the defensive staff in terms of the plan as well,” McDermott said.