Sunday | 8:20 ET
In Week 9’s edition of Sunday Night Football, the Buffalo Bills will head to Cincinnati to play the Bengals in what is sure to be an emotional evening. The last time these two teams met in Paycor Stadium, Damar Hamlin’s serious medical emergency cut the game short. Miraculously, Hamlin has already made a full recovery and is on the Bills roster. If he finds his way to the field on Sunday night, it would be an amazing moment.
Shifting gears, Bills-Bengals presents yet another high-caliber matchup in Week 9. The Bills come in at 5-3, the Bengals at 4-3. Cincinnati stumbled out of the gates due to quarterback Joe Burrow’s injury sustained just before the season began. However, he and the Bengals finally seem to have found their footing. Burrow looked 100% last week in a three-touchdown performance on the road against the 49ers. The Bengals are the Bengals again, and I would not want to find myself matched up against them.
The Bengals offense is back. The Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase connection is up and running again, which has opened the doors for other players. Fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins finally had a productive game last week, and even running back Joe Mixon grabbed a touchdown.
However, the Bills defense will provide another tough challenge. It has allowed the 7th least points in the NFL this season. Buffalo has done a fantastic job of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The team ranks second in the NFL in pressures (87) and third in sacks (28). Leonard Floyd, Ed Oliver, and AJ Epenesa each already have five sacks in 2023. It will be vital for the Bengals offensive line to protect Joe Burrow.
On the other side of the ball, the Bills have been efficient. QB Josh Allen has been great. Meanwhile, the Bengals defense has had its struggles, particularly in the secondary. Safety Nick Scott ranks dead last in PFF coverage grade among safeties, and fellow safety Dax Hill also ranks in the lower half. The Bengals rank first in the NFL in average depth of target against. Teams love to air it out against the weak safeties. This is good news for Josh Allen, who excels at throwing the deep ball. WR Gabe Davis could have one of his patented long touchdowns, and look for Stefon Diggs deep down the field.
I see the Bengals coming out on top. Their offense is finally humming, and proved last week that it can put up impressive stat lines against great defenses (San Fransisco). Home field advantage will also play a role. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the most entertaining game of the weekend. The strengths and weaknesses of the teams suggest a potential shootout.