The Buffalo Bills will host the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium on Sunday with an important win on the line.
For this AFC battle between Sean McDermott’s Bills (8-4) and Zac Taylor’s Bengals (4-8), it will be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
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Here are Bills Wire’s three key matchups to watch during Week 14’s Bills vs. the Bengals matchup:
RB James Cook vs. LB Barrett Carter
Nov 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs with the ball against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals have one of the few run defenses worse than the Bills in 2025. Cincinnati ranks as the second-worst unit against the ground game (153.3 yards per game) and Buffalo is third-worst (141.3).
As the quarterback of the Bengals defense, Carter will play a big role in trying to stop Cook. Good luck with the way the Bills’ running back has shined in 2025.
CB Christian Benford vs. WR Ja’Marr Chase
Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) makes a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Benford is fresh off being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Chase needs no introduction. Benford will have his hands full.
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DE AJ Epenesa vs. OL Orlando Brown Jr.
Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass as Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) defends during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
If the Bills are without Joey Bosa because of injury (hamstring/wrist), Epenesa needs to step up in a big way. He has had successes as a rotational option, but now Epenesa will have much bigger shoes to fill.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 3 key matchups to watch Week 14