Buffalo Bills: 5 under-the-radar players who need a big game in Week 9

Poona Ford

The focus entering this game is on Joe Burrow and the Bengals wide receivers, and rightfully so as they rank near the top of the league. However, the Bills can't overlook Joe Mixon and the Bengals run game.

In two of the past three games, Mixon has surpassed 80 rushing yards and every game this season has had double digit carries. It is not surprising either that in three of their four wins this season, Mixon had 15 or more carries.

For the Buffalo Bills, the pressure will be on Poona Ford to establish himself on the interior of this line and not give Mixon room to make plays in the middle of the field. The Bills did sign Linval Joseph this week and it remains to be seen if he will be ready to go so Ford may have more responsibility to shut down the run.