Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was a lamb to the slaughter in the loss to the Houston Texans that saw him sacked a whopping eight times.
And that was with a healthy offensive line.
Now, as the Bills gear up to go on the road and face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13, injury has hit Buffalo's offensive line, with left tackle Dion Dawkins in concussion protocol, and right tackle Spencer Brown reportedly not practicing on Wednesday, leaving both in doubt for Sunday's game.
That is problematic given that Allen, who was just sacked eight times, could now be without two of his starting tackles to face Pittsburgh.
But Josh has full confidence in whoever steps in that they can do the job if Dawkins and Brown can't go.
“Different faces, different way of communicating with some guys, but I got full faith in the guys that will play if the other two can't,” Allen said. “Definitely takes everybody doing their job, stepping up, making plays, communicating well, and having a good week of practice.
"You can't replace your two starting tackles. It's hard to do that, but we trust the guys that are willing to step up and play if need be. We got to trust them and roll with them.”
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Bills O-line in trouble vs. Steelers?
It certainly looks like, and considering that Pittsburgh ranks fifth in sacks with 34, despite the obvious problems Mike Tomlin's team has when it comes to allowing points, it could get messy.
But this feels like a "gotta have it" game for the Bills, who at 7-4, are the seventh seed if the playoffs began today.
The AFC East looks to be over as the New England Patriots are racing away with it at 10-2, so a wildcard spot looks like it will be the Bills' best hope right now.
The offense felt broken against Houston, and the Steelers' defense won't make life easy for Allen, especially if he is down two starting tackles.
The game is often won in the trenches, and right now, Buffalo's is banged up at the worst possible time.
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