DETROIT – While Josh Allen played a superhero and likely cemented his first-ever MVP award, James Cook and the running backs totaled 285 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns, while six different receivers and tight ends caught a pass en route to a 48 -42 win, that’s where the Bills’ offensive line stood and came as close to a perfect game as possible.

And they did it in the home barn of the Lions’ vaunted offensive line, a unit that many consider to be one of, if not the best, unit in the league.

“Our team goes through it. They control the line of scrimmage. They are the tone setters. Without them we can’t do what we do,” tight end Dawson Knox said. “They are the blood of this team. They keep us going.”

It’s hard to argue against that when you put in a performance like you did against the Lions. Before the Bills went into run-out-the-clock mode, the offense averaged nearly nine yards per play. The Lions didn’t register a single sack that night. They only managed five pressures against the Bills on 34 dropbacks. The Bills’ offensive line wiped out the Lions and knocked them over in the running game to boot.

The group of left tackle Dion Dawkins, left guard David Edwards, center Connor McGovern, right guard O’Cyrus Torrence and right tackle Spencer Brown has only missed one start this season. It’s a group described by teammates as having the “loudest personalities.”

But while the Bills scored at least 30 points for the eighth straight game, the offensive line remains strictly under the radar across the NFL.

Why is that?

“I don’t know. Maybe we’re ugly and no one wants to look at us,” Brown said. “It’s not something we’re worried about. It’s not, ‘Let’s come out here and get some media coverage on these guys.'” It “That’s not what it is. That’s part of the offensive game. You do what you’re asked to do, go about your day and hope your team wins.”

“I think it’s just because we do our job and don’t expect any praise for it,” sixth offensive lineman Alec Anderson said. “It’s just like doing what you’re supposed to do.”

Backup offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark got off to a good start in Week 11 against the Chiefs and also got some time at right tackle against the Lions after Brown suffered some neck spasms. Van Demark overheard the conversation with Anderson and wanted to intervene.

“It’s the character of the men in the room,” Van Demark said loudly.

There was at least one dissenting opinion, but it almost made the point even further.

“I don’t think we’re doing that (staying under the radar),” Edwards said. “I think we have great running backs. We have the best quarterback in this league. And it really is because we all work together to make it work. You know, our recognition is the recognition of our offense. The credit really goes to Josh and his backers, the guys who really get it done for us and make us look good.”

Spoken like a true offensive lineman.

But while Edwards quickly passed the credit elsewhere, his partner to his left said the quiet part out loud every week.

“I think it’s the market, I really do. I think just because we’re in Buffalo, they only push us as far as they want,” Dawkins said. “I’m not trying to start a no-beef or anything like that, but we’re the best line in the country. We show it every week. I’m the best left tackle in the world. You know, I feel like I have the best guard in the world next to me. On the other hand, I have the best young guard, Cybo (Torrence). Spencer has developed into one of the better tackles in this league.”

“We never get the recognition we truly deserve,” Dawkins continued. “But I wish I could say, ‘Who cares?’ Because it’s important to me! You know, it’s important to me. I want to be labeled as the best left-wing attacker because that’s who I am.”

Bills gain 31 yards on 4th and 2!

📺: #BUFvsDET on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/vuI1arpyMf

– NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

Dawkins has become the star of the offensive line show for those who watch her closely enough. Dawkins, now 30, adopted a smarter, not harder, strategy this season and relied less on his athleticism to win. He even has a signature move where he uses the opponent’s momentum against him and knocks them chest-first to the ground.

He had one of his most memorable last week when he scored an instant pass-blocking victory by forcing impressive Rams rookie Jared Verse into a front flip. Depending on who you ask, there are different names for the move, but Dawkins has his own name for it – the Ice Pick.

“Because it’s mine and I’m the best at it,” Dawkins said.

“He’s so technically sound,” Edwards said. “Let’s think about what it means to play as a left winger in this league. Who you have to compete against. The responsibilities of this position. His ability to hit top rushers and put them in their faces is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“I got a little highlight tape to show the world,” Dawkins added. “I’m going to be my own billboard because people aren’t trying to pay attention to what’s really going on. But I say it with humility and I say it with respect. I’ve been playing for eight years. It’s a matter of time before I get what I deserve because, you know, it’s the truth.”

But Dawkins is the anomaly of a group that likes to let its game speak for itself. The Bills offensive line was the engine of the entire offensive environment.

And they were beyond upset that their running game in Los Angeles wasn’t going the way they wanted. They wouldn’t let what happened against the Rams happen against a Lions defensive line, even though the Lions had four rotation players returning from injury for the game.

“Coach McDermott puts a lot of emphasis on the line of scrimmage,” Edwards said. “So last week we didn’t play really well, not effectively, not often and not many opportunities. It was a real focus for us to be able to pursue football because it opens up so many more opportunities for us.”

And with that increased attention, the Bills have been nothing short of insane on offense. Only two of the 11 drives in which the Bills attempted to score ended without at least one field goal attempt. And that was simply because they ran out of time at the end of the first half.

The Bills know that Allen is playing the best football of his career and that league accolades are likely to follow. But the offense remains in the shadows, trying to make a name for itself every week without ever being in the spotlight.

“Every game is a statement game to really prove who is the better team and who is the better line,” Dawkins said. “I say it with humility. The Buffalo Bills are a very special group. And I think everyone on this team is playing their best.”

(Top photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell / Imagn Images)