The Buffalo Bills are turning to one of their final pages of the 2025 NFL season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Following an offseason that has built Super Bowl hopes, can the Bills turn their fortunes in the right direction and make that a reality after a bumpy year?
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Before we even get to the team’s next kickoff, there will be a lot of Bills-related discussions and conversations to be had throughout the coming days.
With that, here are five storylines to watch for during the lead up to Bills (8-4) against the Bengals (4-8) in Week 14 at Highmark Stadium:
Burrow is back
Nov 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) shake hands at the conclusion of their game at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
The top story for everyone in the NFL looking at this Bills-Bengals game does not have much to do with Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is back after injury, making his second-straight start.
What’s he got?
Injury updates
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby heads towards Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen who was just getting the snap during first half action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov 16, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Guarding Allen are Buffalo Bills guard David Edwards and offensive tackle Dion Dawkins.
The Bills survived their injury crisis last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, namely playing without starting offensive tackles Spencer Brown (shoulder) and Dion Dawkins (concussion). The team would prefer to be a bit healthier against the Bengals.
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Other names to keep an eye on in the upcoming days included:
LB Terrel Bernard (elbow)
TE Dalton Kincaid (hamstring)
Some Bengals injuries
Nov 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) runs against New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) during the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Like the Bills, the Bengals have some starters and big contributors to watch on the injury report this week. The two names to keep an eye on are wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson (hip/ pelvis).
Play into Bills defense?
Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa tuns towards the fumble that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones caused after sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during second half action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov 16, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The Bills recovered theh fumble.
The Achilles heel of Buffalo’s defense in 2025 is their ability to stop the run.
That might not be a problem here.
It’s always a focus for the Bills defense. But the Bengals have the third-worst rushing attack (88.5 yards per game) this season.
While Burrow will be a threat, this is somewhere the Bills could thrive for once.
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But for what it’s worth, Buffalo is also the third-worst run defense in 2025, allowing 141.3 yards per game…
Must wins
Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
All in all, here is the focal point for everyone in Buffalo and Cincinnati this week: It’s a must-win game for both teams.
The Bengals only have four wins, but the Baltimore Ravens lead the AFC North at only 6-6.
The Bills likely won’t win the AFC East, but they still need to lock in a playoff position.
A pressure-packed occasion.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills vs. Bengals: 5 storylines to watch for during lead up to Week 14