Bengals' Defense Must Bring the Heat to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive vs. Josh Allen and the Bills
Joe Burrow has had Josh Allen’s number the last couple of times they’ve met, but if the Bengals want to keep their postseason hopes alive in Week 14, it’s not just going to be about Burrow slinging it. As much as we love a good quarterback duel, this one’s going to come down to what Cincinnati’s defense can do - especially against one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the league.
Let’s be honest: the Bengals' defense looked downright lost earlier this season. Missed tackles, busted coverages, and a pass rush that couldn’t finish.
But over the past few weeks, there's been a noticeable shift. Call it a resurgence, call it a wake-up call - either way, they’re playing with a lot more fire.
And it’s coming from some unexpected places.
A practice squad call-up and a big-name starter rediscovering his form have helped breathe life into defensive coordinator Al Golden’s unit. But now they’re facing one of the toughest tests in football: slowing down Josh Allen in Buffalo, in December, with the season hanging in the balance.
The Pass Rush: Time to Finish What They Start
Here’s the headline: Josh Allen is a nightmare to bring down. He’s 6’5”, 240 pounds, moves like a tight end, and throws like a cannon on wheels.
And while the Bengals have been trending in the right direction, they’re still near the bottom of the league in tackling efficiency. That’s a brutal combo against a quarterback who thrives on chaos.
With Trey Hendrickson sidelined again, the pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy - and they’ve started to answer the call. Over the past four games, both edge rushers have notched 17 total pressures. That’s not just solid production - that’s impact-level disruption from two players who were still finding their footing earlier this year.
But pressures don’t mean much if you can’t finish. And that’s the key this Sunday.
It’s not just about winning off the edge - it’s about maintaining discipline in the rush lanes, staying in phase, and chasing Allen with a second-effort mentality. Because when Allen escapes the pocket - and he will - he turns broken plays into backbreakers.
Allen’s Arm Talent Is Elite - But So Is His Risk Profile
Allen’s got that rare arm arrogance - the kind that lets him fit balls into windows most quarterbacks wouldn’t even attempt. But that same confidence can be his undoing. When defenses stay disciplined and force him to hold the ball, he’ll sometimes try to force throws that just aren’t there.
That’s where the Bengals can capitalize. It’s not about generating sacks on every play. It’s about making Allen uncomfortable, forcing him into those high-risk decisions, and then cashing in when the opportunity presents itself.
Want an example of what that kind of effort looks like? Take a look at what Texans rookie Will Anderson Jr. did against Allen a couple weeks back - he traveled over 50 yards on a single play to chase down the Bills QB for a sack. That’s the kind of hustle that turns games.
Or rewind to Thanksgiving, when Myles Murphy chased down Derrick Henry on a potential game-breaking run. That play didn’t just save points - it showed exactly what kind of motor and commitment this Bengals defense is starting to play with.
The Blueprint Is There - Now It’s About Execution
The Bengals don’t need to shut Allen down completely - that’s a tall order for any defense. But they do need to make him earn every yard. That means rallying to the ball, wrapping up on first contact, and keeping the pressure coming from all angles.
If Ossai and Murphy can keep the heat on, if the secondary holds up just long enough, and if the Bengals play with the kind of relentless energy they’ve flashed lately, then Burrow may just get the chance to outduel Allen once again.
At 4-8, the margin for error is razor-thin. But with the AFC North still wide open, a win in Buffalo would keep the Bengals right in the thick of things. And if the defense keeps trending up, don’t count them out just yet.