Five Buffalo Bills’ players who could pose a serious threat to Cincinnati Bengals in their upcoming clash…

Five Buffalo Bills to monitor in the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals…

The Buffalo Bills are gearing up for a significant showdown with playoff implications as they face off against the Cincinnati Bengals in a highly anticipated matchup of the 2023 NFL season. This marks the third encounter between these teams this year, and the previous two encounters did not favor the Bills. Last season, the Bengals eliminated the Bills from the playoffs with a decisive 27-10 victory. In the prior meeting on January 2, a distressing incident occurred when safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field due to commotio cordis, halting the football world.

Now, the Bills are aiming to secure an essential AFC victory as they find themselves in a precarious position concerning playoff tie-breakers, having suffered all three of their losses against AFC opponents. With a 1-2 divisional record and a 2-3 conference record, Buffalo must accumulate AFC wins to improve their position later in the season.

To triumph over the Bengals, who have shown improvement after a shaky start, the Bills will rely on standout performances from their key players. Here are the five players to keep an eye on:

1. QB Josh Allen Last week, Allen and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey found an effective rhythm with a quick-strike, fast-paced offensive strategy that allowed Allen to dissect a formidable Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. In the previous encounters, the Bengals’ defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, and his defense troubled Allen, particularly in the playoffs. Buffalo needs a countermeasure to handle speedy blitzers like nickel cornerback Mike Hilton, who caused problems for Buffalo’s protection. Whether it’s short hot-routes or other quick passes exploiting gaps left by the blitz, Allen’s execution is crucial for Buffalo’s success.
2. WR Khalil Shakir Shakir emerged as a promising WR3 solution for Buffalo after a breakout performance last week. The Bills capitalized on Shakir’s ability to find open spaces in the defense, and Allen targeted him early in the game. This week, they might employ a similar approach to counter Cincinnati’s blitzes, particularly from the offensive right side. While Gabe Davis and Dalton Kincaid were effective last week, having Shakir as a reliable target is a valuable asset for the offense.
3. DE Leonard Floyd The entire defensive line is worth watching, but Buffalo’s top pass rusher this season has been Leonard Floyd, who is currently tied for eighth in the NFL with 6.5 sacks. Generating pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow to disrupt his timing and pocket comfort is crucial, and Floyd, who is also eighth in the league in quarterback hits, will play a pivotal role on Sunday.
4. DT Ed Oliver Ed Oliver, with a career-high ten tackles for loss and five sacks this season, is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive line. His performance is vital to collapse the middle of Burrow’s pocket and apply pressure. Keeping the linebackers free from blockers will also help contain Joe Mixon, the Bengals’ running back.
5. CB Rasul Douglas While it’s uncertain if Douglas, a recent addition, will play due to his presence on the injury report, his status is worth monitoring until the inactives are released. If he does play, his performance will be closely watched. Having Douglas alongside Christian Benford in the cornerback unit would strengthen the coverage, which is a favorable scenario compared to Benford and Dane Jackson. The addition of Douglas is seen as significant, and it’s hoped that the Bills recognize the importance of this game and utilize him in some capacity.”