3 CRITICAL MATCHUPS
John Ross vs. Tre'Davious White
Cincinnati's deep threat has been just that. In two games he six receptions of 20 yards or more and three touchdown catches of 30 yards or more, including a 66-yarder last week against San Francisco. Tre'Davious White said Ross is "blazing," and he's right. Ross ran a record 4.22 40-time at the Combine in 2017.
Bills run game vs. Bengals run defense
Buffalo's run game is ranked ninth in the league after two solid performances. Devin Singletary's injury status could impact the advantage here for the Bills, but Cincinnati's tackling has been inconsistent the past two weeks, and they were crossed up by the 49ers two-back scheme. It's why they're giving up a gaudy 165 rushing yards per game and rank 30th against the run.
John Miller vs. Ed Oliver
The former Bills guard is starting at right guard for the Bengals. He has struggled the first two weeks and might be starting at his most difficult assignment this season in Oliver. The rookie's explosiveness and strength could overwhelm Miller if he doesn't get double team help.
2 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE OPPONENT
No run, all pass
The Cincinnati offense under new head coach Zac Taylor has been wildly productive through the air averaging 343 yards per game, which is second only to Kansas City. The Bengals problem is their inability to run the ball as they've managed a total of 59 rushing yards on 33 carries (1.8 avg.) to rank last in the league. As a result, Taylor has called pass plays a league leading 76 percent of the time and run plays a league low 24 percent of the time.
Shuffled deck on O-line
The Bengals offensive line has been a shuffled deck since the spring when projected starting left tackle, first-round pick Jonah Williams sustained a shoulder injury in the spring that required surgery. Then guards Clint Boling and Christian Westerman retired.
Backup LT Cordy Glenn has been in concussion protocol since the start of the season leaving OT Andre Smith to fill in. This past week LG Michael Jordan sustained a knee injury and is out this week.
Billy Price is expected to step in at left guard.
1 THING THAT COULD DECIDE THE GAME
Buffalo's pass rush
If the Bills can succeed in shutting down Cincinnati's run game the way Seattle and San Francisco did the first two weeks of the season, Buffalo's pass rush could generate some game-changing pressure on Andy Dalton. The Bengals quarterback has been sacked nine times in two games and has three fumbles, with two resulting in turnovers. All told, Dalton is the second-most sacked quarterback in the league and third most-hurried (26) quarterback in the NFL.
Undercurrents
- A.J. Green is not expected to return from an ankle injury anytime soon. He told Bengals.com that it could take longer than the reported six to eight weeks. Green said he wants to make sure it's 100 percent.
- The health of Joe Mixon's ankle was called into question last week after a subpar performance against the 49ers. Mixon injured the ankle in the Week 1 game at Seattle, and by most accounts did not look 100 percent last Sunday. He had 17 yards on 11 carries last week.
- Cincinnati has the second-longest active road losing streak at six games. Only Miami with seven straight road defeats has more.
- Stretching back to last season the Bills have scored touchdowns on nine consecutive red zone possessions. It is the longest streak in the NFL.
As the Bills prepare to play at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, scroll through to view photos from previous matchups between the two opponents.
October 2, 2011 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Stevie Johnson.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
Sunday, January 4, 1982 | Buffalo Bills running back Joe Cribbs (20) breaks away from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Glenn Cameron on his way to a 44-yard touchdown in an AFC playoff game in Cincinnati, OH. Cribbs scored two touchdowns.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
Terrence McGee
- All-time franchise leader in kick return yards with 5,450
- All-time franchise leader with 5 kick return touchdowns, and also holds the longest kick return in team history of 104 yards on 12/5/2004 at Miami.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
October 5, 2003 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Travis Henry.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
November 20, 2016 | Buffalo Bills Dan Carpenter kicking his first of three field goals against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
October 2, 2011 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. CJ Spiller.
January 18, 1989 | Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (12) eludes Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Leon White (51) during the 1988 AFC Championship Game in Cincinnati, OH.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
November 4, 2007 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lee Evans.
November 20, 2016 | Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals game at Paul Brown Stadium.
January 8, 1989 | Cincinnati Bengals running back Ickey Woods (30) runs upfield during the 1988 AFC Championship NFL Game against the Buffalo Bills in Cincinnati, OH.
November 20, 2016 | Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals game at Paul Brown Stadium.
October 2, 2011 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rian Lindell.
December 17, 1984 | Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Reggie Williams (57) stops Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mike Mosley for a short gain during their game at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.
November 20, 2016 | Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals game at Paul Brown Stadium.
November 21, 2010 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Stevie Johnson.
October 2, 2011 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Eric Wood.
October 13, 2013 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals.
January 8, 1989 | Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) is sacked for a 5-yard loss by Buffalo Bills Bruce Smith (78) in the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game in Cincinnati.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
October 2, 2011 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fred Jackson.
November 21, 2010 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Stevie Johnson.
January 3, 1982 | Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson (14) is caught by several Buffalo Bills defenders, including Sherman White (83) and Fred Smerlas (76), in the second half of an AFC Playoff game in Cincinnati, OH.
November 7, 2007 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Marshawn Lynch.
October 2, 2011 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Stevie Johnson.
November 21, 2010 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fred Jackson.
November 4, 2007 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnatti Bengals. JP Losman.
December 24, 2005 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Willis McGahee.
December 24, 2005 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lee Evans.
January 8, 1989 | Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly pulls away from the grasp of Cincinnati Bengals Jason Buck (99) in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship game.
October 8, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
December 24, 2005 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lee Evans.
November 20, 2016 | Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals game at Paul Brown Stadium.
December 24, 2005 | Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals. Sam Adams.
