This is not the time to face a red-hot offense with an MVP-caliber quarterback at the wheel. The Buffalo Bills are searching for some kind of momentum heading into the postseason after an encouraging win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13. Now, they're set to face an even tougher test against a Cincinnati Bengals team that was obsolete just a couple of weeks ago.
Joe Burrow's return instantly transformed the Bengals' offense from mediocre to elite. The superstar QB put on a show on Thanksgiving, leading his team to a dominant win over the Baltimore Ravens. He led his offense to a 32-point outburst without his top receiver on the field. Now, the Bills are tasked with slowing down Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase in a game that could prove crucial to their eventual playoff seeding.
This game has quickly become one of Buffalo's most important matchups of the season.
Bills facing impossible task of shutting down Joe Burrow and the Bengals
The Bills' defense was able to stifle the Steelers' offense throughout their battle over the weekend. Joey Bosa and the rest of Buffalo's front took over the game at times, holding Aaron Rodgers and co. to just 166 total yards of offense. But this Bengals unit is a different beast.
In the back half of last season, Burrow nearly built an MVP case despite his team missing the playoffs. He and Ja'Marr Chase were unstoppable, resulting in league-leading marks for the wideout. If the Bengals' Week 13 showing is any indication, it seems like the electric pair has found that form again.
They are in a position to take advantage of the Bills' lack of depth in the secondary and at linebacker. If Bosa and the rest of the Bills' pass rushers fail to put significant pressure on Burrow, he could dice them up throughout the game. Sean McDermott's defensive game plan will be critical in this one.
The Bills should be able to take advantage of Cincinnati's weak defense, potentially leading to a shootout in Week 14.
Buffalo needs a win over Cincinnati to keep its hopes of homefield advantage alive for the playoffs. With a loss, the Bills' chances of catching up to the New England Patriots atop the AFC East would virtually disappear.
But the stakes in this game go beyond the standings. A decisive win over the Bengals would prove what the Bills have been needing to show all year long: that their defense is capable of keeping up with elite offenses when it matters most.