The Buffalo Bills are reeling, as they have lost two of their past three games, which has put a damper on their quest to win the AFC East division over the New England Patriots. Now, the team is simply working on finding its way into the postseason, and that starts with picking up a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13.
While the Steelers have also been struggling as of late, this isn’t going to be an easy game for the Bills, thanks in large part to a slew of injuries they are currently dealing with. Perhaps the most important injury situation that will need to be monitored throughout the week involves right tackle Spencer Brown, and if you ask one of Buffalo’s former offensive linemen, Eric Wood, his potential absence could put the team in a tough spot when it comes to slowing down T.J. Watt.
Eric Wood Thinks Bills Could Have Trouble Slowing Down T.J. Watt
As if losing to the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football wasn’t bad enough, the Bills got beaten up pretty badly in this game. Brown was among the players forced out of the game, as he suffered a shoulder injury that he initially tried to play through, but he eventually got pulled in favor of Ryan Van Demark.
After the game, Brown was seen wearing a sling, which probably isn’t a great sign when it comes to his quest to get back on the field in Week 13. Considering how Brown is one of the most consistent tackles in the game, his absence would always loom large, but an upcoming showdown with Watt and the Steelers would make playing without him an even bigger issue.
Watt typically lines up across from the right tackle, meaning if Van Demark has to fill in for Brown, he’s going to get quite familiar with the superstar pass rusher in this one. Wood, who spent his entire nine-year career with the Bills, knows what it takes to slow down these sorts of stars, and he believes that Buffalo will have to give Van Demark help against Watt if Brown can’t play.
“You’re likely gonna give him a lot of attention, whether it’s chips, making sure you’re sliding in that direction, potentially having the guard help out as well,” Wood said on “One Bills Live.” “You’re gonna have a lot of attention on T.J. Watt through that game. They’re not just gonna throw Ryan Van Demark out there to the wolves. There’s gonna be times where he has to win one-on-one matchups against T.J. Watt, you just don’t want him to have to do it 30, 40 times.”
Bills Desperately Need to Get Back in the Win Column vs. Steelers
GettyJosh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills.
Brown could still conceivably play for the Bills against the Steelers, but all signs are pointing to Van Demark earning a spot start in Week 13. Pittsburgh’s defense actually hasn’t been as good as advertised this season (they have been perhaps the most turnover-reliant unit in the league), but a guy like Watt has the ability to make something happen on any given play.
Regardless of who ends up on the field, Buffalo is going to have to keep tabs on Watt throughout the game. Its plan could change quite drastically, though, depending on who finds their way onto the field. Both teams could use a win badly, and with the postseason drawing near, the stakes for this game have been raised significantly. Kickoff for this important contest is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
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