Facts are fact and here’s one for you: The Buffalo Bills have had a much improved rushing attack in recent weeks.
That comes at the right time as the Bills (11-6) will take their now two-dimensional offense to Kansas City to face the Chiefs (12-5) in the AFC divisional playoff round.
For the majority of the 2021 season and the better part of the past few seasons, Buffalo hasn’t had a great ground game on offense. Even when quarterback Josh Allen was ascending, the running attack was stuck in the mud. However, since Week 14, the Bills have averaged 161.8 rushing yards per game. That’s the second-most in the entire NFL.
Trying to change those fortunes requires a heavy lift. That’s exactly how Buffalo offensive lineman Dion Dawkins says it got done, by everyone pulling in the same direction and in a very motivated manner.
“The narrative of the world for the Buffalo Bills was ‘they can’t run, they can’t the run football. The O-line isn’t good enough, oh the running backs suck.’ All this crazy stuff,” Dawkins said via video conference. “The coaches brought it to our attention and when they brought it to our attention, we took it personal, and we took it pridefully that this is our job.”
The offensive line certainly has started to play better in front of Singletary. A major change made, inserting Ryan Bates into the starting lineup, has helped. From left to right, the offensive line has consisted of Dawkins, Bates, Mitch Morse, Daryl Williams and Spencer Brown.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott made sure to credit the centerpiece of it all as well, running back Devin Singletary. The coach said the runner has taken his increased workload and turned it into a consistent flow of production.
“I think he’s gotten into a good rhythm. When you get the touches you’re able to get into a good rhythm. The continuity of the offensive line helps as well,” McDermott said.
Buffalo will hope a perfect storm for Singletary has been created this week. Looking ahead to the matchup with the Chiefs on Sunday, Singletary has a chance to add to own personal numbers against them.
He enters Sunday with a low bar to climb as he only had six carries in the Bills’ Week 5 win over KC. Despite likely wanting to prove his own worth more because of that, that’s not what it’s more about for Singletary.
“I’m just excited, period, to play these guys again in the playoffs,” Singletary said via video conference. “We ready to go, we looking forward to Sunday.”
Saddle up, Kansas City. Someone is going to be running at you full force this weekend.
[lawrence-related id=95695,95684,95680]