@Sami84. There's a lot of variables about the line that you need to account for in the first game.
1. It was raining like hell. That usually means teams are going to run the ball more. Buffalo thought that and they stacked the box, making it borderline impossible to rush to the edges. Marty and Roman likely anticipated that and because of that, they were straight up not prepared for the passing attack and it worked. I've been a harsh critic for Marty, but he called a hell of a game. He at least is better than Cam in that regard. He does show at times that he can be good.
2. The line has actually never played together. Stanley-Lewis-Skura-Yanda-Hurst. That look never got any extensive time in the preseason(which is all the more infuriating why Hurst is starting at RT over Brown. He played G the preseason and was at least passable there. Whereas Brown is already twice the RT Hurst could hope to be). The line is a team too. They need time to gel. There's a new C and RT, and the RT will change again(which is why Brown should start ASAP. Changing them in the middle of the season is just going to make things harder). Even with our shit personel last year, once the line got time to form chemistry, they were fine. Granted, the level of competition we played as a whole last year sucked, and I still think the strong play was a fluke(
@RavensMania) but there's no chemistry yet.
3. Lewis and Yanda are returning from season ending injuries. Yanda got the preseason off(though he deserves it so this is not a complaint, just an observation). While Lewis did get time, he's still got some rust on him. And he has next to no in game experience in the power scheme. He has to work out the kinks. And Stanley sustained an injury preseason too that took him out of a game. Wouldn't surprise me if he isn't 100% yet. Actually, Hurst suffered one too.
I still have to worry about the line too.. Not just the obvious Hurst situation which could potentially cost us this Bengals game. But Lewis was not inspiring as a run blocker neither. Having Skura next to him doesn't help at all.
This team is an average center and a smart coaching decision away from fielding a good offensive line... The good news is one of these problems can be solved immediately. Send Hurst to the bench in favor of Brown and I can guarentee you that the run game improves in spades. Especially as Yanda and Lewis slowly readjust to the NFL. Stanley is a good player but it does concern me that he hasn't taken the next step as an elite LT like he could be with that athleticism. Though it is early in the year, and Lewis is also a bit rusty. Those two in the long run, I'm not too worries about.
Eventually, once Brown starts I think the line should be fine. Again, Lewis and Yanda are a bit rusty and are coming off of injuries. It'll take a few weeks for them to get back to form, and if Yanda does return to form and we put the mauler RT we drafted next to him, Collins and Buck are going to be in good hands.
This line can pass protect so the ball is in Marty and Roman's court. We're going to need to figure out how to establish the run game.
I know you have this preconceived thought that "every player must be dominant". We have a a future hall of famer at guard, and a good(not just above average. Stanley is a good tackle who could be much more and it's frustrating but he's going to be a league starter for another 7 seasons. You don't get to be that if you're just above average), and a future mauler at RT. I know you want a mauler at LG, I do too. But Lewis needs more time in this scheme to prove himself before we come to a conclusion. He's kind of new to this, in game and practice are two completely different things. If not, then we go into next season with our only real need being the offensive line, and even if Flacco is still on the roster(which is a very strong possibility) we'll have some cap room to play around with even after giving CJ, Brown, and Suggs money. Also helps that the interior oline class next season looks strong.
I'm mad at Hurst but I'm not going to freak out unless this is a massive problem weeks from now. I don't expect the line to be good against the Bengals but there are other factors at play. Short week, road game, etc.
The good news is. This defense looks like it could be an elite unit and as long as the offense is better than it was in 2016, and 2017(which in one week I already have confidence in the offense as a whole.. They added a lot of talent. Again though we should wait), and the Bengals are not exactly great at oline either. The Broncos don't have a good one. Carolina is bleeding, Tampa Bay will run out of fitzmagic soon enough. LA Chargers don't have a good oline. Oakland's oline is falling apart despite having a good interior(thanks Gruden). Tenessee is fucked without Lewan if he doesn't come back. Our front seven stays healthy we could very well control those games. In fact, even with our problems we're still better off on the offensive line than about 60% of the teams with regards to the offensive line. Once the line settles, if we still have problems, then I'll probably complain too. But right now. Patience is a virtue.. I guess. I will be more at ease once Brown starts.