The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t just beat the Ravens on Thanksgiving night - they made a statement. On the road, in prime time, against a division leader, Cincinnati delivered a performance that turned heads and, more importantly, kept their playoff dreams alive. It was the kind of win that can jolt a team back into rhythm, and now, the path forward is clear: win out, and let the chips fall where they may.
That journey continues with a massive test in Buffalo, where Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will look to keep the momentum rolling. And if things go according to plan, they might be getting a crucial weapon back just in time.
Tee Higgins - arguably the best WR2 in the NFL - is trending in the right direction. Head coach Zac Taylor said Higgins is set to return to practice in a limited capacity this week, and the early signs are promising. If he suits up, it’s a major boost for an offense that’s going to need all hands on deck against a Bills team that’s been dominant at home.
Buffalo enters this matchup at 8-4 and sporting a 5-1 record at Highmark Stadium. Their offense?
Tied for second in the league with 42 total touchdowns - right up there with the Colts. Simply put, they know how to find the end zone, and they do it often.
That sets the stage for what could be a classic shootout - the kind of game where each possession matters, and the quarterback who has the ball last might be the one celebrating. Burrow has shown time and again that he’s built for these moments. But having Higgins back alongside Chase would give the Bengals a better chance to match the Bills score for score, especially if their defense has trouble slowing down Buffalo’s high-powered attack.
The stakes are high, the margin for error is razor-thin, and Cincinnati knows exactly what’s at stake. They’ve got no room to stumble - but with Burrow under center, Chase doing Chase things, and potentially Higgins back in the fold, they’ve got the firepower to make things interesting.