Buffalo Bills vs Bengals: Week 5 Preview
The Buffalo Bills look to stay atop the AFC East standings as they head to Paul Brown Stadium for what seems like a yearly meeting with the Bengals.
The Buffalo Bills will play their third road game on the year and second in a row.
Occasion: Week 5, 2017 NFL Season
Where: Paul Brown Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
Time: 1:00 PM
TV: CBS
The Defenses
The Bills’ defense is finally getting some much deserved recognition. However, the Bengals’ defense is slowly emerging as a great one too.
Both teams rank amongst the tops in the league in scoring defense.
The Bills and the Bengals both give up less than 17 points a game.
Buffalo’s pass defense will be a tough task for Andy Dalton and the Bengals.
Tyrod
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The key to this game, as always, will be Tyrod’s ability to protect the football.
Tyrod has played mistake free football, and the offensive coaching staff has done an outstanding job coaching to his strengths, but will he be the guy for the third week in a row.
Tyrod is not putting up eye-popping numbers, but his recent ability to scramble, run for yards, not allow negative plays, and not turn the ball over is what makes him so hard to prepare for.
The Bengals defense is tough but Tyrod works just as hard as anybody, he will be tough to play against too.
Coach McDermott made it very clear that he takes the 1-3 Bengals very seriously.
McDermott let his team enjoy their win over Atlanta but he said that it was already Bengals week.
He also noted that four games is not enough time to judge how good or bad a team really is.
His next man, next up mentality has been the theme of they year, anything short of that on Sunday will be a bust.
Injuries
The Bills went into Atlanta healthy but came out banged up.
Ramon Humber, Jordan Matthews, and E.J. Gaines were amongst those who suffered injuries.
Humber and Matthews have already been out.
Gaines is questionable.
If the Bills suffer any more injuries as the game in Cincy progresses, that could be the beginning for the end for Buffalo.
They need to try to stay as healthy as possible and give these guys time to recover and replenish the depth.
Special Teams
The Bills’ special teams have been the unsung heroes of this Bills team. Steven Hauschka makes 55+ yards look like chip shots
There is no reason to believe “Haush-money” won’t keep the field goals coming.
He has given Sean McDermott and the offense the utmost confidence to always be willing to settle for the three points.
Hauschka even earned himself back to back AFC Special Teams Player of the week honors.
It is likely both the Bills and Bengals will kick a lot of field goals on Sunday, and I like the Bills’ chances.
Notes
The Bills re-signed Philly Brown to add to the WR core.
Buffalo is seeking to win their third game in a row.
The Patriots beat the Buccaneers thursday night to go 3-2, so the Bills need to win this one to stay a full game ahead in the standings.
The Bills will wear their white on white uniform combination and the Bengals will wear orange on black.
The Bills once won ten straight games vs the Bengals from 1989-2011.
Buffalo won their meeting last year in Cincy 16-12.
The Bills lead the all time series vs the teams 16-14.
Next: Turnovers key in Bills victory over the Falcons
For Sure
The Bengals will have a tough time throwing passing TDs vs the Bills’ talented secondary.
Bold Prediction
The margin of victory will only be three points.
Final Thoughts
As always, please follow me on twitter (@johncarroll55) for all things Buffalo Bills!
Next Week, the Bills are off for a week 6 bye before two straight games at New Era Field.