Bills vs. Bengals Preview: Playoff Stakes, Snowflakes, and a Familiar Face on the D-Line
ORCHARD PARK - The Buffalo Bills are walking a tightrope in the AFC playoff race. There's still a little margin for error, but not much.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals? They're out of rope.
Sunday’s matchup at Highmark Stadium isn’t just another December game - it’s a high-stakes battle between two teams heading in very different directions but clinging to postseason hopes.
Let’s break down what’s on the line, who’s stepping up, and what fans can expect when the snow starts falling and the pads start cracking in Orchard Park.
Playoff Picture: Bills Hanging On, Bengals Desperate
For the Bills, this is about maintaining control of their own destiny. They enter the game holding onto the seventh and final AFC wild-card spot - barely.
A loss wouldn’t end their season, but it could knock them out of the top seven and make the road to January football a whole lot bumpier. Winning keeps them in the driver’s seat and even leaves the door slightly ajar for a run at the AFC East title, though they’re still chasing the Patriots in that race.
On the other side, the Bengals come in at 4-8, and the math is brutal. They likely need to win out - all five remaining games - just to have a shot at 9-8.
That might not even be enough for a wild card in the crowded AFC, but it could put them in striking distance in the AFC North. That division has been a rollercoaster, and with the Steelers and Ravens both sitting at 6-6, it's not out of the question.
But again, Cincinnati has zero room for error.
Vegas Likes the Bills - But Weather Might Be the Wild Card
As of Sunday morning, the Bills are six-point favorites, with the over-under set at 54.5. That’s a high total considering the weather forecast - and yes, snow is in the mix.
Moderate snowfall is expected in the Buffalo area leading up to kickoff, with up to four inches possible in some spots. It should taper off in the afternoon, but conditions could still be slick. That could impact both the passing game and footing on defense - and let’s be honest, snowy games in Buffalo tend to produce chaos.
Morgan Fox Steps In - A Familiar Role in a New Uniform
The Bills made a couple of roster moves on Saturday, elevating defensive lineman Morgan Fox and linebacker Baylon Spector from the practice squad. Fox, in particular, could have an immediate impact.
With Joey Bosa sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Fox is expected to step into the rotation - a role he knows well. He and Bosa were teammates with the Chargers for three seasons, and Fox often filled in when Bosa was banged up. Now, he’s being asked to do the same thing in Buffalo.
Fox brings versatility to the defensive front. Over his eight-year career, he’s played both inside and outside, starting 34 of 120 games.
He’s recorded 27.5 career sacks, including 15.5 over the last three seasons. That’s solid production from a rotational piece, and with Michael Hoecht on injured reserve, the Bills are hoping Fox can bring some of that same disruptive energy off the edge.
Game Info: When, Where, and How to Watch
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec.
7
- Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
- TV Broadcast: FOX Available locally on: WUHF (Rochester, Channel 31) WUTV (Buffalo, Channel 29) WSYT (Syracuse, Channel 68) WFXV (Utica, Channel 33) WYDC (Elmira, Channel 48) WXXA (Albany, Channel 23) WICZ (Binghamton, Channel 40)
Streaming and Radio Options
Streaming:
- NFL.com and NFL mobile app (phone/tablet only)
- NFL+ (mobile streaming only)
- TV streaming services with FOX access: Spectrum, DirecTV Choice, Fubo Sports, Sling, Vidgo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTubeTV + NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio:
- SiriusXM:
- Channel 225 (Bills feed)
- Channel 381 (Bengals feed)
- Bills Radio Network: Rochester: WCMF 96.5 / WROC 950 AM Buffalo: WGR 550 AM Syracuse: WKRL 100.9 / 106.5 Binghamton: WDRE 100.5 FM Ithaca: WIII 99.9 / 100.3 FM Bath: WVIN 98.3 FM Newark: WACK 1420 AM Dansville: WDNY 93.9 FM Elmira: WNGZ 1490 AM Auburn: WAUB 98.1 FM / 1590 AM Geneva: WGVA 95.9 FM / 1240 AM
Broadcast Crew:
- TV: Joe Davis (play-by-play), Pam Oliver (sideline)
- Radio: Chris Brown (play-by-play), Eric Wood (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline)
Final Word
This isn’t just another December game - it’s a measuring stick for both teams. The Bills are trying to prove they belong in the postseason conversation, even if they haven’t looked like contenders every week. The Bengals are fighting for survival, hoping to spark a miracle run in a division that hasn’t crowned a clear favorite.
Add in a little snow, a new face on the defensive line, and playoff implications on both sidelines, and you’ve got all the makings of a classic December showdown in Western New York.