The Buffalo Bills defense stumbled out of the gate in the season opener against Arizona, allowing Kyler Murray to move up and down the field, scoring on the Cardinals' first three possessions.
Then, pass rusher Greg Rousseau blasted off.
The fourth-year pro collected three total sacks, a new career-high, including two pivotal ones in the second half to help jumpstart the comeback in an eventual 34-28 Bills victory.
The 24-year-old former first-round pick has displayed glimpses of talent but never racked up sacks in his first three campaigns. Year 4 feels different for the man nicknamed "Groot" in college for his tree-like size and strength.
"I was never self-conscious about my size. I just hadn't watched the movie, the 'Guardians of The Galaxy,' so I didn't know what that was," Rousseau said on Tuesday, via the Associated Press. "And then I watched it. Pretty good movie and I liked the character. He's pretty cool."
The first of Rousseau's three sacks on Sunday was a force-out in the first half, but the second two were massive. On the opening drive of the third quarter, the edge rusher penetrated the backfield and slung Murray to the turf to force a three-and-out, the first punt of the game. On the next possession, Rousseau generated a sack fumble that the Bills recovered and turned into their first lead of the game.
"I'm not a math major, but I think 17 (games) times three (sacks) would be like a record maybe, right?" coach Sean McDermott quipped.
"Look, the game's going to come to him at times like it did the other day, and then sometimes you're going to go up against some really good competition, and they're going to win some," he added. "I think he's mature like that, and he understands that, and he knows he's always trying to grow each and every week and improve."
The Bills' remade defense sorely needs the front seven to dominate play. When it was able to get sustained pressure against the slippery Murray, it got off the field. When it did not, the Cards moved the ball seemingly at will.
Rousseau has been a breakout candidate for years, owning the combination of raw talent and size that makes a Marvel nickname natural. Yet, he's never cracked the double-digit sack mark in three seasons.
Von Miller, who snapped his 14-game sack drought Sunday, has talked up Rousseau's talent since arriving in Buffalo three years ago and said he's "been feeding him gunpowder and gasoline at lunch and breakfast."
"I always knew that he was one of the best defensive ends in the league. There's only about five for them, and he's one of them," Miller said of Rousseau. "I think that is a huge confidence-booster. And it's not just words anymore. Even though words are powerful, it's not just words, it's the real deal.
"And you can see it in 'Groot' every time he rushes. ... He's starting to sprout."
The Bills need Rousseau to continue to sprout his breakout campaign Thursday night against the explosive Miami Dolphins. Rousseau has sacked Tua Tagovailoa 2.5 times in his career (fourth-most of any player). Miami allowed just a 17.5 percent pressure rate in Week 1, the second-lowest in the league, as Tua got the ball out quickly again.
Buffalo must control the line of scrimmage if it's to slow Tua, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De'Von Achane, et al., or Thursday night could be a long day for a defense still finding its footing following offseason changes.
