BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 19: Greg Rousseau #50 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a play against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium on September 19, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Gregory Rousseau had another stellar game Monday night against the Tennessee Titans. His PFF grade of 90.5 was amongst the top Bills performers in the 41-7 blowout win in Buffalo.
Rousseau, who recorded a sack and two tackles for loss on Monday, was a dominant presence in the Titans backfield. He showed his physical nature when he manhandled Derrick Henry, and he was constantly having his way with the Titans offensive line.
Here, Rousseau uses his size and strength to bull rush the blocker that is in his way, and he ends up right in the face of QB Ryan Tannehill:
Believe it or not, Rousseau only played 46% of the team’s defensive snaps. Luckily for the Leslie Frazier-led Bills defense, there are plenty of healthy, high-quality defensive ends to go around. Von Miller (50% of plays), Boogie Basham (41%) and AJ Epenesa (38%) rotated in to keep the d-line fresh.
Rousseau’s rookie campaign in 2021 ended in a bit of a disappointment after a hot start. Many wondered if the first-round draft pick (30th overall) out of Miami would live up to the hype after being named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 (he opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns).
This summer, Von Miller was quoted as saying that he was feeding Rousseau “gunpowder and gasoline”, referring to his plan to work with Rousseau on his techniques and mental toughness. Monday night it was clear that Gregory Rousseau had worked hard this offseason and that the Von Miller contract is paying off in more ways than one. The two of them pressuring from opposite ends has been disastrous for opposing offenses through two weeks.
