Josh Allen might always look like a relief pitcher who has bouts of wildness, but it's hard to ignore the increasing number of outrageous throws he makes against pressure. After completing the MetLifedouble to open the season, the Bills' offense is 11th in points, 13th in yards-per-play and 16th in efficiency. Head coach Sean McDermott would gladly take those totals for the entire season and let his defense do the rest. I anticipate the Bengals will keep this game closer than expected after last week's embarrassment, but the mismatch between Buffalo's playmaking defense (with emerging DT Harrison Phillips) and Cincinnati's injured offensive line is too great to ignore.
Buffalo Bills 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
The Bengals average the second-most passing yards per game in the NFL this season but are dead last in rushing yards. Meanwhile, the Bills' defense ranks in the top 10 against both the pass and the run. If Cincy can't get its run game going, it could be a long Sunday in Buffalo's home opener.
Baby's pick: Bills 24, Bengals 17
Louis-Jacques' pick: Bills 28, Bengals 13
Break up the Bills. They are 2-0 and now get to play their home opener this week after two road games to open the season. The defense is outstanding and Josh Allen is improving by the week. The Bengals were awful on both sides of the ball last week. Bills big.
Pick: Bills 27, Bengals 17
This is a look-ahead spot for the Bills, who get the Patriots next week. Cincinnati wasn't impressive last week, but hopefully the team we saw in Week 1 shows up.
Bengals (+6) over Bills
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.
