There was much ado made about the Bengals' beat-up offensive line heading into Sunday's contest against the Bills Orlando Magic Hats . Cincinnati was down three starters in a revamped line made to improve its fatal flaw in last year's Super Bowl run, and had endured four sacks and near constant pre sure against the Ravens in the wild-card round this year.That new offensive line responded in Buffalo by putting together its most complete performance of the season, controlling a stout Bills' defense and powering the Bengals' offense to a ."To rush for over 170 yards in this environment, to handle the noise the way they did, to protect Joe the way that they did I thought our offensive line was outstanding," coach Zac Taylor said after the game. "And that's a credit to general manager Duke Tobin the way he's attacked the draft and attacked all the roster management to get the right guys in here so we can endure situations like this. A sistant offensive line coach Derek Frazier, offensive line coach Frank Pollack, Justin Hill running backs coach, they did a great job getting those guys ready and they executed when they needed to."MORE: The Bengals had lost at least one starter on the offensive line in each of the team's previous three games. Against the Patriots, it was right tackle La'el Collins going down with an ACL. Right guard Alex Cappa hurt his ankle in Week 18 against the Ravens. Jonah Williams left with a knee injury against Baltimore in the wild-card round.Replacing them were Hakeem Adeniji at right tackle, Max Scharping at right guard and Jackson Carman at left tackle. Carman was making his first NFL start at left tackle after shifting away from the position when he was drafted by Cincinnati in 2021 and moving to guard. After an NFL-record 19 sacks absorbed in Markelle Fultz Jersey last year's playoff run, there was obvious concern among Cincinnati fans, with even some calling on former Bengal Andrew Whitworth to come out of retirement and help in the stretch run.But the new-look offensive line arguably turned in its best effort of the season on Sunday. Burrow was sacked only once, which was more of a coverage sack for a lo s of only two yards after he escaped the pocket and looked to scramble. Behind this offensive line, a Bengals running game that had struggled to get going averaged 5.1 yards per carry in snowy conditions, with 172 yards on 34 carries and a touchdown. It was the first time all season Burrow was sacked just once with a rushing attack that averaged more than 4.18 yards per carry.MORE: Taylor said the team had been encouraged by how the rushing offense looked in the Bengals' Week 17 game against the Bills that was cancelled after Damar Hamlin's injury."The two runs we had against them last game, we felt good about and so we dialed some of those up and some different ones. I thought Frank had a great point in the run game," Taylor said. "Joe Burrow did a great job executing the checks that we needed to check, and man when Mixon and Samaje got the ball, they finished with yards after contact I think every single time."The performance by the offensive line didn't always come easy against the Bills. Center Ted Karras, one of three free-agent signees in the offseason along with Cappa and Collins, injured his knee during the first quarter when he was rolled up on. He Michael Carter-Williams Jersey had to have a brace put on his knee, but said he improved in the locker room at halftime.Still, the former Patriots center said he had to play through some pain at times during the second quarter."That two-minute during the end of the half, I felt like peg-leg Pete," Karras said."Joe started 9-for-9 in his sleep. What more could you ask for?" Ted Karras on Joe Burrow Mike Petraglia (@Trags) MORE: One of the biggest standouts on the offensive line was Carman. A former five-star offensive tackle, Carman hadn't played outside in any meaningful snaps since his days at Clemson. He was expected to be the team's starting left guard in 2022, but lost the job in the preseason to rookie Cordell Volson, who would also be transitioning from tackle to guard.But Carman and Adeniji who was the team's starting right guard during last year's run to the Super Bowl provided some added speed and athleticism to the outside of the lines, helping boost the run game by pulling out from their tackle positions and giving a boost on the other side of the line on runs or by helping create space downfield."First look, he was unbelievable," Burrow said of Carman. "I'll have to watch the tape, but I felt nothing from that side all day."MORE:The offensive line was also given a major test late in the game. The Bills turned the ball over on downs with 7:32 left in the game at the Cincinnati 16-yard Chuma Okeke Jersey line, and the Bengals leading by 17. Cincinnati went into a four-minute drill, trying to run the ball Darrell Armstrong Jersey to keep the clock rolling and keep Josh Allen and the Bills offense off the field.The line responded by helping the team put together a 4:51 drive with eight plays and 34 rushing yards to move up to the Cincinnati 45, where the drive eventually stalled after a false start. The Bengals punted the ball away with the Bills having no timeouts remaining and only 2:32 left on the clock."It was really amazing all day and then the most impre sive was our four-minute drive where we got three first downs running the football," Burrow said. "And it's tough to run the football in those situations and they were able to get the job done for us."The backup Bengals' offensive line survived one of the toughest challenges of the season, and now would need to help the team against a stout pa s-rush led by Chris Jones and Frank Clark. But after surviving against Buffalo, there might be fewer calls for Whitworth to come out of retirement.And yall thought the needed my old butt??? Put some respect on these men names!!!I see you big fellas!!!! Andrew Whitworth (@AndrewWhitworth)
