The Buffalo Bills needed a statement win, and they delivered one in emphatic fashion on Sunday, rolling over the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-7 on the road. It was a performance that kept Buffalo firmly in the AFC playoff hunt and reminded everyone what this defense is capable of when it's locked in. But as the Bills celebrated a dominant showing, they were also hit with a potentially significant setback - one that could loom large with the Cincinnati Bengals coming to town in Week 14.
Joey Bosa’s Impact - and Uncertain Status
Edge rusher Joey Bosa was a game-changer against Pittsburgh. Early in the second half, with the game still hanging in the balance, Bosa broke through for a sack on Aaron Rodgers and forced a fumble.
Cornerback Christian Benford scooped it up and took it to the house, flipping a 7-3 deficit into a 10-7 lead. That play didn’t just change the scoreboard - it changed the energy.
From that point on, Buffalo took control, and Pittsburgh never really recovered.
But Bosa didn’t finish the game. He exited with a hamstring injury and was listed as questionable to return.
Now, as the Bills prepare for a critical showdown with the Bengals, his status is up in the air. Head coach Sean McDermott didn’t offer much clarity, saying the team will “see where that goes” as the week progresses.
And that’s where things get tricky for Buffalo.
A Different Kind of Test Awaits
Let’s be honest - Pittsburgh’s offense hasn’t exactly been lighting it up this season. They’ve struggled to find rhythm, identity, and consistency. So while the Bills’ defense looked sharp, this week’s test is a different beast entirely.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals are a much tougher assignment. Burrow returned to action on Thanksgiving and led Cincinnati to a convincing win over the Ravens - a reminder that when he’s healthy, this offense can be lethal.
He’s 2-1 against the Bills in his career, and one of those wins was a commanding 27-10 playoff victory back in 2023. This isn’t an offense that needs help finding its groove.
If Bosa can’t go - or if he’s limited - that’s a big problem for Buffalo’s pass rush.
Who Steps Up If Bosa Sits?
Without Bosa, the Bills would be leaning heavily on a rotation that hasn’t consistently delivered pressure. Greg Rousseau is a solid run defender, but he hasn’t been the kind of edge rusher who consistently wins one-on-one matchups off the edge.
A.J. Epenesa has flashed at times, but he’s not a game-wrecker.
Bosa is that guy. He’s the one who can tilt the field, who forces quarterbacks to speed up their internal clock, who turns third-and-manageable into punting situations. And with a quarterback like Burrow, who thrives under pressure and can carve up defenses if given time, not having that kind of presence off the edge could be costly.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky - especially for players who rely on explosiveness and burst. Even if Bosa suits up, it’s fair to wonder how close to 100% he’ll be. And in a game with serious playoff implications, that kind of uncertainty is the last thing Buffalo needs.
The Stakes Keep Rising
The AFC playoff race is tight, and every game from here on out carries weight. For the Bills, this matchup with Cincinnati isn’t just another game - it’s a measuring stick. And if they’re going to keep pace in the hunt, they’ll need their defense to rise to the occasion.
That starts with the pass rush. That starts with Joey Bosa.
Whether or not he’s on the field Sunday could go a long way in determining how this one plays out.