NFL: Buffalo Bills will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

But: The defense has to take another major step in one specific area. And it’s been a problem for this unit for a number of years.

While the Bills ranked 10th in the NFL in total defense this past season, only four clubs in the NFL allowed more yards on the ground. Incredibly, it marked the fifth consecutive year in which the team finished in the bottom five of the league in rushing defense.

While the recent injury to the team’s leading tackler in 2013, linebacker Kiko Alonso, is certainly a big blow, it has also happened now and not later in the season. The talented defender was slated to slide to the right outside linebacker spot in 2014 what with the free-agent signing of veteran linebacker Brandon Spikes, late of the Patriots.

With Mike Pettine’s departure to become the head coach of the Browns, former Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz is now Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator.

When it comes to get to the other team’s quarterback, this unit didn’t have a lot of problems this past season. Only the Carolina Panthers (60) totaled more sacks than the Bills (57). And Marrone’s team was the only one in the league with three players—Mario Williams (13.0), Kyle Williams (10.5) and one-time Colts’ first-rounder Jerry Hughes (10.0)—with 10 or more sacks.

Now if Schwartz can translate that pursuit of signal-callers to chasing down running backs, we may be talking about the club’s first winning season since 2004.