The Bills return home for Sunday's game against the Bengals after winning on the road in Week 13. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Highmark Stadium with Buffalo holding a 5-1 home record this season.
This is the 35th time Buffalo and Cincinnati meet in series history. Sunday will break the tie, and the winner will take an 18-17 advantage between the two teams all-time.
Here's what the Bills are saying about this week's matchup:
Injury updates from first practice of Week 14
Head coach Sean McDermott provided an injury report on Wednesday as the team held a walk-through.
Wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle), linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow) and defensive end Joey Bosa (hamstring/wrist) did not practice. McDermott said he believes Bosa is a week-to-week situation and hopes to be on the shorter end of that.
"[Bosa's] intent on getting back as soon as he can," McDermott said. "He loves to play ball, and you saw his impact [against Pittsburgh]."
As for Palmer, who went back-and-forth between being limited in practice in Week 13, is still dealing with injuries, but McDermott did not classify it as a setback.
"We'll just have to see how it goes through the week here," McDermott said. "We've had good communication around his situation and with him, specifically. And the key is that he continues to get himself healthy here one day at a time."
Left tackle Dion Dawkins remains in concussion protocol, but was limited on Wednesday. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring/knee) and Spencer Brown (shoulder) were also limited.
Long snapper Reid Ferguson (neck), fullback reggie Gilliam (knee), tight end Jackson Hawes (back) and defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (wrist) were all full participants on Wednesday.
Breaking win-loss pattern and shaking off inconsistency
Since Week 9, Buffalo went on a win-loss pattern, beating the Chiefs, falling to Miami, winning against the Buccaneers, losing to Houston then beating the Steelers. McDermott emphasized the importance of breaking that pattern, especially given the time of year.
"I don't think we can afford to be inconsistent. Not now. Not that you can ever be, don't get me wrong, but our backs are against the wall. That's the way it is, and that's our mindset," McDermott said.
The Bills are still second in the AFC East with an 8-4 behind the 11-2 Patriots. They're also the seventh seed in the AFC playoff picture after Week 13. On the bubble are the 7-5 Texans, 6-6 Steelers and 6-6 Chiefs.
The "back against the wall" mindset is what Buffalo inherits from hereon out. Before the Steelers, McDermott said it's a fun time of the year when your team is in the hunt. With a win under the Bills' belt from Week 13, a victory on Sunday is just the next step.
"When it feels like there's a lot of pressure, you know as the saying goes, 'Pressure can make diamonds and burst pipes' – I think that's how it goes, I'm not fully sure," Allen said. "It's the best time to play football. It's when the stakes are high and you got to go out there and you got to perform your job … We want to go out there. We want to perform for each other and share that love we have for each other."
Bills understand the challenge Joe Burrow presents
With quarterback Joe Burrow back in the mix for Cincy, Buffalo understands it faces a different kind of offense than what the Bengals had Weeks 3 through 12.
Burrow threw for 261 yards and two TDs in a Thanksgiving win over the Ravens.
"Different team, different offense. He's one of the top quarterbacks in the league for a reason," McDermott said of Burrow. "They have weapons outside and inside. [Head] coach [Zac] Taylor does a really good job of play calling, scheming, and putting his players in position to make plays, and they're special. The rapport that's been built up over the years with the quarterback and the receiving core, it operates at a high level, so it's impressive."
With Bernard being in and out of the lineup, linebacker Shaq Thompson said he's prepared to step in for whoever and whenever. Getting the defense on the same page, trying make the Bills' opposing offense become more one dimensional is his goal as Bernard recovers.
Specifically, Thompson said Cincinnati's personnel paired with Burrow will be a challenge for the defense.
Especially running back Chase Brown, Thompson noted Brown's ability to break tackles and having bursts of speed. This season, Brown has 704 yards and two touchdowns on 160 carries, becoming a weapon for the Bengals to rely on while Burrow recovered. He also contributes in the pass game, registering 48 receptions for 287 yards and one score through Week 13 as well.
Battling against the pass game led by Burrow, McDermott commended the development of his secondary and how the players overcame adversity throughout the season with injury. He said cornerback Maxwell Hairston's development, specifically, is big for the team as well as safety Cole Bishop's growth as a second-year player.
"Just the players' commitment to improving, getting on the same page with how our coverages work," McDermott said. "It's never one player, never one position, it's really all 11 guys playing together. And I think that's some of what you're seeing now."
Cornerback growth continues developing
Cornerback Christian Benford earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against the Steelers. He had one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, opening the Bills' second half on a positive note. On Pittsburgh's next offensive drive, Benford intercepted quarterback Mason Rudolph. Allen connected with wide receiver Keon Coleman on fourth-and-goal, capitalizing on the cornerback's efforts and getting the most points out of it.
"We already knew that was coming," Hairston said of his teammate receiving the award. "I'm proud of him, man. That's somebody that keeps us going … somebody I can really learn from, and to see him have success, man, just makes me smile."
Hairston said it's impressive and an "art" for him watching Benford go up against an opposing team's top wide receiver.
Against the Bengals, Benford and Hairston are expected to matchup against wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, two challenging matchups for both. In 2025, Chase has 86 receptions for 971 yards and five touchdowns. Higgins has 40 catches for 575 yards and seven scores.
"I love to compete. I love the challenge," Benford said. "I love to help my team the best way possible. So, to do that, to be able to match up with a guy … you got to be able to win more than you lose … You got to be able to have the heart and mind to bounce back and continue going with confidence every time."
Hairston said putting the previous week behind the secondary as an entire group and focusing on what's ahead makes their connection grow stronger week-by-week. The cornerbacks also feed off each other in terms of energy. Hairston, Benford, and Tre'Davious White continue having fun and celebrating each others' successes during the game to grow in the moment and propel the defense's overall performance forward.
