The Bills are heading into Week 9 with a major test in front of them, and the first injury report of the week only adds to the pressure.
Buffalo and Minnesota both sit at 6-1, and their Monday night matchup in Minnesota comes with plenty of weight on both sides. The Vikings just took their first loss last week against the Lions, while the Bills rolled past the Ravens. But even with Buffalo’s offense coming in strong, the bigger issue now may be whether Josh Allen gets the protection he needs.
That’s because the Bills’ Thursday practice report was a long one, and the most alarming part was up front. Dion Dawkins (rib) and Alec Anderson (ankle) did not practice, while Spencer Brown (back) was limited. Brown being limited is at least a step in the right direction, but it also shows the back issue is still there, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be at full strength if he’s able to go in Week 9.
That leaves Buffalo dealing with both tackles banged up, plus an interior blocker who has been exceeding expectations as a starter. Against a Brian Flores-led defense, that’s not exactly the kind of setup the Bills want.
Minnesota’s defense has been the story for the Vikings this season. The unit ranks second in the league, allowing just 271 total yards per game. It is tied for first in takeaways with 12 and sits second in sacks with 25, trailing only the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That’s a real problem for Buffalo, especially if the offensive line isn’t close to full strength. The Vikings love to blitz, and they’re good at it. If they can force pressure and make Allen move around, the Bills could be in for a very long night no matter who ends up starting along the line.
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Now the Ravens have to navigate Thursday Night Football against Jacksonville with a patchwork plan under center, and the matchup is not exactly forgiving. The Jaguars bring enough pressure and overall strength to make life difficult even for a stable offense, which is why Baltimores quarterback depth is suddenly such a central storyline for anyone watching from Buffalos side of the ledger. [Read more 🡒]