How about that O-line?
Let’s stick in the trenches for a moment, but switch gears to the offense.
For the most part, the Bills offensive line was consistently average in 2020. PFF named it the 10th best unit in the NFL this season, but that seems generous.
We’ll level with the Bills on one thing, the offensive line was much better at pass protection this season as opposed to run blocking. That terrible effort against the Chiefs truthfully seemed like an… one-off bad game.
We already touched on the running game… and while maybe a better rusher than Zack Moss or Devin Singletary could pay off, finding all-around offensive linemen would help even more. Aside from Dion Dawkins at left tackle, everyone should be evaluated for a potential upgrade. We only leave Daryl Williams out of that circle because he’s a pending free agent.
Keeping Williams might help, but guard play was spotty at-best. Find players consistent at both pass protection and run blocking across the board. Mitch Morse at center could even be considered here. He’s the second-highest paid guy at this position in the NFL… he should play like it. Maybe help next him will help.
Another field goal lesson
Different circumstances? Yes… but the Super Bowl was a second lesson for Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott on why field goals just won’t cut it against good teams. The Chiefs were smoked by the Bucs because they simply only had field goals. Did those go down because they were surprisingly settling for them like the Bills and McDermott were in the AFC title game? No, but the same sentiment is there.
Hopefully that further proves a point to the Bills on fourth down in 2021.