Bills catch major break ahead of playoff matchup vs. Bengals
The Buffalo Bills will square off against a shorthanded Cincinnati Bengals squad in Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round. The Bengals’ offensive line was hit by the injury bug late in the season. Cincinnati’s starting right tackle La’el Collins was lost for the season with a torn ACL suffered in Week 16. Just two weeks later, right […]
The Buffalo Bills will square off against a shorthanded Cincinnati Bengals squad in Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round.
The Bengals’ offensive line was hit by the injury bug late in the season. Cincinnati’s starting right tackle La’el Collins was lost for the season with a torn ACL suffered in Week 16. Just two weeks later, right guard Alex Cappa was sidelined with an ankle injury in Week 18.
To make matters worse, Cincy’s starting left tackle Jonah Williams was added to the injury list with a dislocated knee in the Bengals’ wild card win over the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals’ worst nightmare came true on Friday. Cincinnati officially ruled Cappa and Williams out for Sunday’s showdown in Buffalo.
Cincinnati has struggled up front, even with a healthy offensive line. Bengals signal caller Joe Burrow was the sixth-most sacked quarterback in the NFL in 2022, sacked a total of 39 times.
Playing without one starter against one of the NFL’s most ferocious defensive fronts is a tall task for any offensive line. Replacing three starters against Bills’ pass rush puts Burrow in a unique bind.
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier should have success applying pressure with his defensive line, allowing Buffalo to drop plenty of defenders and blanket the Bengals’ terrific trio of receivers. Burrow will be forced to make quick decisions on the road, which could result in turnover troubles.
Featured image via Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK
