The Buffalo Bills walked into Pittsburgh last week without their starting offensive tackles and still came out with a dominant 26-7 win. That’s no small feat, especially considering the Steelers’ reputation for defensive pressure.
Josh Allen stayed upright, the offense stayed on schedule, and the Bills walked out with a statement win. Now, as they prepare to host the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo just got another break in the trenches - and it could be a big one.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Monday that defensive end Trey Hendrickson is doubtful for Sunday’s matchup. Hendrickson, who hasn’t played since Week 8 due to an abdominal injury, has been the Bengals’ top pass rusher and a rare bright spot on a defense that’s had trouble getting to the quarterback all season.
Let’s be clear: Hendrickson’s absence is a significant loss for Cincinnati. He’s responsible for four of the Bengals’ 18 sacks this season - a number that already ranks second-worst in the NFL.
Only Joseph Ossai has more with five. Without Hendrickson, the Bengals lose not just production, but leadership and presence off the edge.
And for a defense that’s already reeling, that’s a major blow.
Meanwhile, the Bills are still monitoring the health of their starting tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. But if last Sunday was any indication, they’ve got some reliable depth.
Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark stepped in and held their own against a Steelers front that’s usually much more disruptive. That performance should give Buffalo confidence heading into another physical matchup.
Here’s where things get interesting: the Bengals don’t just struggle to rush the passer - they’ve also been gashed on the ground all season. Cincinnati enters Week 14 with the NFL’s 31st-ranked run defense.
They’ve allowed over 100 rushing yards in all but one game this year and have given up more than 150 yards on the ground six different times. That’s not just a trend - that’s an identity problem.
Buffalo, on the other hand, just ran for 249 yards in Pittsburgh - the most ever by a visiting team at Acrisure Stadium. That came in cold, windy conditions where the passing game was minimized, and the Bills leaned into a physical, run-heavy approach.
Even with Anderson and Van Demark in the lineup, Buffalo only threw for 123 yards. But they didn’t need to do more through the air.
The ground game did the heavy lifting, and it worked to perfection.
Now, against a Bengals defense that’s struggling even more than Pittsburgh’s, the Bills have a chance to double down. If Hendrickson is out - and all signs point to that being the case - Josh Allen should have time to operate, and Buffalo’s run game could feast again.
Of course, the Bengals still have Joe Burrow back under center, and that alone keeps them dangerous. Cincinnati’s offense can put up points in a hurry when Burrow is in rhythm, and the Bills defense will have its hands full trying to contain him and a talented receiving corps. But this game might come down to who can control the line of scrimmage - and right now, that edge belongs to Buffalo.
If the Bills can dominate the trenches like they did in Pittsburgh, they’ll be in prime position to keep climbing the AFC standings. And with Cincinnati’s defense limping into Orchard Park, the opportunity is right there for the taking.