After taking down one AFC North team last week, the Buffalo Bills will face yet another one this Sunday when Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals come to town. Buffalo comes in at 8-4 while Cincinnati is currently 4-8, yet they are only two games out of first place in the division. As for the Bills, they are staring up to the Patriots who also own the tiebreaker over them.
Cincinnati is the more desperate team than Buffalo, but the Bengals have had the Bills’ number in recent memory. Joe Burrow hasn’t lost to Buffalo in his career, having beaten Buffalo in Orchard Park and Cincinnati. Each team has a sense of desperation, so this could be a huge battle.
While a lot of fans are expecting this to be a big game between both teams, Buffalo could easily turn this into a dominating game like they did last week against the Steelers.
Bills vs. Bengals Week 14 bold predictions
James Cook rushes for 200+ yards and 2 touchdowns
Cincinnati’s defense against the run is one of the worst in the league. They are allowing over 150 yards per game and James Cook is having himself yet another great season. He’s got over 1,200 yards on the ground and has had one game of over 200 yards. In addition, he has scored two rushing touchdowns in two different games.
If Buffalo can get the rushing attack going, James Cook could very easily have himself another phenomenal performance against a desperate AFC team.
Bills defense doesn't allow a Bengals TD until second half
Yeah, this may be my boldest prediction. However, Sean McDermott sent a big message to the Bills this past week about the inconsistency that the team has had this season. Part of that inconsistency is the defense that has been a liability all season long.
Who knows…maybe, just maybe, the Bills can find a way to keep the Bengals out of the endzone in the first half and take an early lead to force the Bengals to change their gameplan.
Bills offense doesn't turn the ball over
The Bills have had a major issue with turning the ball over. Josh Allen has thrown 6 interceptions in Buffalo’s last four games, and the Bills already have more turnovers this season than they did last year. In Buffalo’s last four games, they have 11 total turnovers. Losing the turnover battle can easily turn into losing the game.
Up until their Thanksgiving 5-takeaway game against the Ravens, the Bengals only had one takeaway since Week 8. I’m predicting that Buffalo protects the ball well and does not commit a turnover for the first time since Week 9 when they played the Chiefs.
Bills win by 2+ touchdowns
Five out of the eight losses for Cincinnati have come by two scores. They have lost when the offense was on point, and have lost when the offense can’t get anything going. No matter what the offense does or doesn’t do, this defense is bound to struggle.
As for Buffalo, six out of their eight wins have come by two scores. If the Bills are able to contain Joe Burrow and the offense, Josh Allen and his offense could have themselves a field day.