John Murphy: As Bills offense hums, give credit to offensive line

And now a word from the unsung heroes of a 48-point night: The offensive line.

Say what you want about the MVP, the running backs, the offensive coaches, whatever; the Bills offensive line gets the first accolade from Sunday’s 48-42 win over Detroit.

“It’s the O-line, up front,” according to Dion Dawkins. “We have to win that trench warfare.”

They won it. As indicated by their eighth straight game scoring 30-or-more points – their 11th such game this season – they’re winning in the trenches.

Quick: Aside from Dawkins, name the rest of the Bills offensive line.

I’ll wait.

You should start with Offensive Line Coach Aaron Kromer, who quietly, almost silently, is doing the finest job of any Bills position coach. He had his unit energized from the Bills first possession Sunday.

“I thought they came out ready to play,” Sean McDermott said. “You could really tell there was a focus and an attitude about them.”

Dawkins and fellow tackle Spencer Brown, guards David Edwards and O’Cyrus Torrence and center Connor McGovern have started all but one game together this year. They’ve allowed no sacks, zero, in the last four games, with the Bills averaging 32 pass attempts in those games.

It’s an impressive group made even more impressive by Buffalo’s three-headed monster at running back. Taken as a whole, the trio carried the ball 23 times Sunday for 125 yards and two touchdowns. They caught eight passes for 129 yards and one touchdown.

James Cook had two touchdowns, 14 for the year, and should be a Pro Bowler again. Ray Davis provides change-of-pace quickness in the backfield.

Ty Johnson does everything. The fifth-year veteran (and former Detroit Lion) caught five passes for 114 yards Sunday.

“I think he’s really smart,” Josh Allen said about Johnson. “I think he’s the best third-down back in the game. The way we communicate, the way he sees protection—it’s quarterback-like.”

The Bills view Johnson as more than a running back.

“He plays the game the right way,” continued Allen. “He’s another guy on this team that we don’t really call a running back. He’s a football player that plays running back.”

It all came together Sunday. Backs, receivers, tight ends, offensive line. And it’s up to one man to pull it in the right direction.

Allen is playing so well even his coach is at a loss for words.

“It’s the best I’ve seen him play,” McDermott said. “I’m not surprised. When he sets a goal for himself or for this team, it’s hard to stop.

“Just incredible. Incredible performance week after week. Every week we’re watching an incredible player play incredibly consistent week after week. I’ll let you guys fill in the rest of the sentence.”

No words. Other than the Patriots and Jets should be worried.