The Buffalo Bills are heating up-and at just the right time.
Coming off a commanding 26-7 win over the Steelers to close out November, the Bills have surged back into the national conversation. They’ve climbed to a consensus top-10 spot in the latest power rankings, with several outlets slotting them as high as No.
- That’s a notable jump from last week’s average ranking of around 10.4.
But more importantly, it reflects what we’re seeing on the field: a team that’s rediscovering its identity and reminding everyone why they were considered contenders to begin with.
At 8-4, Buffalo now controls its playoff destiny. They’re currently sitting in the AFC’s seventh seed, but don’t let the number fool you-this is not a team anyone wants to face in January.
Josh Allen, for all the ups and downs this season, remains one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league when the lights are brightest. And now, with the ground game finally clicking, the Bills are starting to look like a complete team again.
Let’s talk about that run game. James Cook was the engine in Pittsburgh, racking up 144 yards on 32 carries.
That’s not just volume-that’s efficiency and physicality. The Bills dominated the line of scrimmage, and they did it without both starting tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown.
Ten days earlier, Allen was sacked eight times. Against the Steelers?
Not once. That’s a massive turnaround and a credit to the offensive line stepping up in a big way.
The defense also deserves its flowers. While they’ve been vulnerable at times against the run, they made splash plays all afternoon in Pittsburgh. The unit looked energized, opportunistic, and confident-exactly what you need down the stretch.
Buffalo’s next two games are crucial, with matchups against Cincinnati and New England looming. But for now, they’re in control, and that’s all you can ask for in December.
Bills Power Rankings Snapshot:
- Sporting News: No.
7
- Sports Illustrated: No.
7
- Bleacher Report: No.
7
- NFL Spin Zone: No.
9
- Consensus average: Between 7 and 9
Super Bowl Odds: +900
Not elite-tier favorites, but firmly in the mix. And if they keep trending upward, those odds could tighten quickly.
Now, let’s shift to Cincinnati.
The Bengals aren’t done yet-not by a long shot. Joe Burrow’s return has breathed new life into a team that looked like it was fading fast.
Their Thanksgiving win over the Ravens was a statement-not just because of the final score, but because of how they did it. Burrow looked sharp, confident, and very much like the player who’s led this team deep into the playoffs before.
And it wasn’t just the offense. The Bengals’ defense turned in one of its best efforts of the season, showing the kind of intensity and discipline that had been missing for much of the year. That side of the ball has quietly been improving, and it’s starting to show in the results.
Cincinnati has climbed to No. 21 or 22 in most power rankings-a modest rise, but a meaningful one. They’re still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, and with eight losses already, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Realistically, they’d have to win out and get some help. But even if they fall short, this is a team that can play spoiler in a big way.
They’ve got the Bills next, followed by the Ravens again, then the Dolphins, and two more winnable games to close out the year. That’s a gauntlet, but it’s also an opportunity. If Cincinnati finishes strong, they could derail playoff hopes for multiple contenders-and perhaps salvage enough momentum to carry into next season.
Bengals Power Rankings Snapshot:
- Bleacher Report: No.
21
- NFL Spin Zone: No.
21
- Sportsnaut: No.
22
- Consensus average: Around 21-22
Super Bowl Odds: +18000
Still a long shot, but a significant jump from +50000 just a week ago. That’s what a win over a division rival in primetime will do.
Burrow’s leadership is impossible to ignore. Whether it’s counting down the play clock for his center or delivering strikes under pressure, he’s the heartbeat of this team. And even if the playoff math doesn’t work in their favor, the Bengals are showing they’re not going down quietly.
Bottom Line:
- Buffalo is back in the playoff mix and playing like a team no one wants to face. With a revitalized run game and a defense making timely plays, they’re peaking at the right time.
- Cincinnati, led by a reinvigorated Joe Burrow, might not make the postseason-but they’re playing with pride and purpose. And that makes them a dangerous opponent for anyone still jockeying for position in the AFC.
December football is here. The stakes are high. And both the Bills and Bengals are making sure they’re part of the conversation.