(Photo: Sky Sports)

Intriguing Game- NFL, Week Nine 

Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals

Bills: For years, I’ve tried to defend them. I can’t anymore because I’m running out of words to say when it comes to them. After that loss to the Jets to open up the season, I saw them reel off three consecutive wins including a victory over the Miami Dolphins a week after scoring 70 points on the Denver Broncos. It was the fact that they were winning, it was how they were doing it because I thought they had turned the page. I noticed a more physical style of football from them. They were winning in the trenches, I also saw a group that wasn’t depending on Josh Allen to bail them out each and every play. Then came the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and everything was gone, just like that. They were still celebrating the big win over the Dolphins the week before and it showed. Jacksonville erased their running game and dared Josh to beat them. The following week, they played down to the New York Giants and that should’ve been a get right game for them, but no. That wasn’t the case at all and they barely survived that game. What really had me ranting was the game against the Patriots a few weeks ago. Again, this is a team you’re better than and this could be that get right game. I was wrong again and they fell short to New England. The Offensive Line was terrible in protecting the Quarterback because he was running for his life. I’m going to say two things here. The first is the Buffalo Bills are the Dallas Cowboys of the AFC because just like America’s Team, you just never know what you’re going to get from them on a weekly basis and the second is they need a new Head Coach. Sean McDermott isn’t the answer for them and I even said if Buffalo didn’t at least make the AFC Championship, they’d move on from him. On Sunday night, they will travel to Cincinnati for a playoff rematch.

Bengals: I know the Baltimore Ravens have been rolling and they sit atop the AFC North with a 7-2 record. That’s great and all, but I’m not going to discredit the team that’s won this division the last two years in a row and all they needed was that one game to get them back on track. The beginning of the year wasn’t kind to them at all. They were punched in the mouth in week one by the Cleveland Browns and even after that, their offense was generating the production we’ve been accustomed to seeing these last few years. In fact, through the first four games, they were held to a single field goal twice. After that Titans game, I immediately became concerned because I just had a feeling Joe Burrow’s lingering calf injury at the time was more serious than he was letting on. Since then, the Bengals have won three games in a row and I’m noticing that Joe is finally healthy because in this recent stretch of games, this is the best I’ve seen him look and now, he’s looking like the guy that I predicted to be my MVP this season. I love what I saw from this team on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The offense was potent and they scored 31 points on one of the best defenses in the league today. Their defense also created havoc by intercepting Brock Purdy twice in the 14-point victory on Sunday. When they want too, they can elevate the physicality and that’s saying something because they aren’t necessarily known as a physical football team. In fact, that was the best performance I’ve seen from them since their very impressive win in the NFL Divisional Round last season in Orchard Park and when they have it clicking, they are a tough out for anyone. This Sunday night, they will return home with the Bills coming to town for a big showdown in the AFC.

Bills X-Factor: Von Miller– This is exactly why you signed him. For a game just like this. I said it then and I will say it now: If he is on the field last year in that playoff game against the Bengals, the Bills win that game. Burrow left with too clean of a football jersey for my liking and the lack of a pass rush is why. This is where Von comes in and leaves his mark. He’s one of the best I’ve seen do it and he makes all the difference when healthy.

Bengals X-Factor: Joe Mixon– He is just as important to this offense as Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. In fact, I’d like to see him get more carries because I feel he doesn’t get the ball enough. When Joe is being fed the ball, his impact is similar to Aaron Jones for the Green Bay Packers. Look how they got him the rock last weekend. He finished with a 110 yard rushing performance against the 49ers who have been stout against the run. Good things happen when you get him the football.

Final Thoughts: January 2nd, 2023. That is a day many of us will never forget. It was a Monday night and the Bills and Bengals were set to battle in what was going to determine a lot with the AFC Playoff Picture. Unfortunately, Damar Hamlin collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest. In all my years of being involved with football, I had never seen someone who makes a tackle nine times out of ten collapse like that. The game would end up being canceled. 20 days later, these two met for the first time in the playoffs since that emotional night and the Bengals eliminated the Bills. This will be the first time these two are meeting in Cincinnati since that Monday night in January. I know for a fact this will be emotional scene. I’m so thankful that Damar is still here with us. He’s an inspiration. Now, this is a huge game with both teams trying to establish themselves furthermore in the AFC. The Bills have a weakness on defense and they struggle to stop the run. This is exactly why Mixon is my X factor. Can the Bills channel their emotion into an inspiring performance? Also, pressuring Burrow will be very key for a Buffalo victory. Again, can the Bills get back to that physical brand of football? This can truly go either way, but I’m picking the Bengals here.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Bills 24