ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Sunday’s matchup of the Bills vs. the Broncos doesn’t get much better in a battle up front. The Bills offensive line has allowed the least sacks in the NFL this season, and Denver’s defensive line racked up the most sacks this season.
Bills players say communication is the key to their success up front. Ahead of Sunday’s game, Dion Dawkins gave a glimpse into what happens at the line of scrimmage right before a play.
“‘Dion, look, just block this guy. Alright, Connor, do this. Connor, give me a little shoulder here,'” Dawkins said. “Little things like that, to not dumb it down, but we just play simple football.”
While Dawkins said the line keeps it simple, Josh Allen is still impressed with their communication before he starts the play.
“To hear some of the things they talk about right before the ball is snapped, it’s very impressive,” Allen said. “We’ve got five guys that are extremely smart, that are talented, obviously. You don’t have that type of success without a good O-line.”
The offensive line has only allowed 14 sacks this year, but even with its success, the group still has time to have fun. David Edwards said the team discusses what was said on the field even after the game.
“It’s probably the most fun I’ve had pre-snap,” he said. “We’ll have full blown conversations about what we’re seeing, and then Josh obviously has kind of the final swipe of the pen, but we have such a good time as we reflect after the game or after a series. Like, what was said before the ball was snapped.”
With a common goal, conversation between the linemen is expected to come easy. Dawkins said it goes even beyond their shared goal on the field.
“When you have a group of guys that are at a certain age, at a certain mental foundation, like at a certain point in their life, we just figure it out,” he said.
“Just figuring it out” has seemed to work for the Bills so far this season, as they’re now looking to make a playoff run to cap off a historic season.
With the playoffs just a few days away, Edwards reflected on the time he’s spent with the O-line.
“Having the opportunity to play with guys that there is no ego involved, it doesn’t matter who’s ripe or what’s ripe, such a blessing to be able to play with guys like that,” Edwards said.
The group’s dynamic off the field is likely a reason for its in-game success.
“We’re happy to come to work, we smile when we walk in the O-line room,” Dawkins said. “We’re just fully energized, we get to play and we get to be big kids. We get to joke around and pick on one another.”
The Bills postseason begins on Sunday, January 12th as the offensive line could be the difference maker in the Wild Card Weekend matchup.
