Bills Week Preparations Ramp Up for the Cincinnati Bengals

As the Cincinnati Bengals turn their attention to Week’s critical matchup against the Buffalo Bills—a game that could reshape the AFC playoff picture—preparations at Paycor Stadium have shifted into high gear. Gone are the casual rhythms of early-season practices; instead, the Bengals’ facility buzzes with focused energy: players stay late for extra reps, coaches huddle over film to dissect Buffalo’s schemes, and the medical staff works overtime to get key players healthy. For a Bengals team clinging to playoff hopes and fresh off a narrow loss to the Bills earlier this season, this isn’t just another week of practice—it’s a chance to avenge a defeat, prove they can beat a top-tier opponent, and solidify their standing in the crowded AFC. Bills Week Preparations Ramp Up for the Cincinnati Bengals explores the team’s strategic focus, positional adjustments, and mental preparation as they gear up to face one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses.

Bills Week Preparations Ramp Up for the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the Bengals’ film study focus: breaking down the Bills’ vaunted pass rush, which ranks 4th in the NFL with 38 sacks. Led by defensive ends Von Miller and Greg Rousseau, Buffalo’s pass rush has terrorized quarterbacks all season, forcing hurried throws and 22 turnovers. To counter this, Bengals offensive line coach Jim Turner has spent hours poring over tape with his linemen, identifying Miller’s favorite pass-rush moves (a quick inside spin and a long arm) and Rousseau’s tendency to attack the edge. In practice, the Bengals have simulated Buffalo’s pressure packages, using scout-team defenders to mimic Miller and Rousseau’s speed and strength. “We can’t let their pass rush dictate the game,” Turner said after a recent practice. “Our linemen need to know exactly what’s coming, whether it’s a blitz from the corner or a stunt from the ends. We’re practicing those scenarios over and over until they become second nature.” Quarterback Joe Burrow, who was sacked three times in the Bengals’ earlier loss to the Bills, has also joined the film sessions, helping his linemen anticipate when pressure might arrive. “Communication is key here,” Burrow said. “I need to let the guys up front know if I see a blitz, and they need to adjust quickly. We learned that lesson the hard way last time, and we’re not making the same mistake twice.”

Bills Week Preparations Ramp Up for the Cincinnati Bengals shifts to the Bengals’ adjustments in the passing game, particularly amid uncertainty around wide receiver Tee Higgins’ availability (still in concussion protocol). With Higgins sidelined, the Bengals have leaned heavily on third-year receiver Trenton Irwin and rookie Andrei Iosivas in practice, giving them reps with the first-team offense and running the same routes Higgins would typically handle. The focus has been on exploiting the Bills’ secondary weaknesses—specifically, their struggles against slot receivers, who have averaged 85 yards per game against Buffalo this season. Irwin, who has experience in the slot, has spent extra time with Burrow practicing quick slants and out routes, while Iosivas has worked on deep post routes to stretch the Bills’ defense. “We have to be ready for any scenario,” said wide receivers coach Troy Walters. “If Tee can’t go, Trenton and Andrei need to step up. We’re not changing our offense—we’re just making sure the guys who are playing know their roles inside and out. The Bills have a great secondary, but they’re not unbeatable. We have plays that can exploit their gaps, and we’re going to execute them.” Even if Higgins returns, the Bengals plan to keep Irwin and Iosivas involved, using three-receiver sets to force the Bills to spread their defense thin.

Bills Week Preparations Ramp Up for the Cincinnati Bengals delves into the Bengals’ defensive preparations, which have centered on slowing down Bills quarterback Josh Allen—a dual-threat player who has thrown for 3,200 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 480 yards and 5 scores. To contain Allen, the Bengals have adjusted their defensive scheme, adding more zone coverage to prevent deep passes to Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (who has 1,100 receiving yards) and using a “spy” linebacker to track Allen’s scrambling. In practice, the Bengals have used rookie linebacker Jaxson Kirkland as the spy, having him shadow scout-team quarterback Jake Browning (who mimics Allen’s running style) on every play. “Allen is a unique challenge because he can beat you with his arm or his legs,” said defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “Our spy has to stay disciplined—he can’t get sucked into covering a receiver and leave Allen open to run. We’re practicing that discipline every day, and Jaxson has been doing a great job so far.” The Bengals have also focused on stopping the Bills’ running game, which averages 135 yards per game, by strengthening their run fits and using more eight-man fronts in practice. For the Cincinnati Bengals, slowing Allen and the Bills’ offense isn’t just about defense—it’s about giving their own offense more opportunities to score.

Bills Week Preparations Ramp Up for the Cincinnati Bengals explores the Bengals’ special teams focus, an often-overlooked area that could swing the game. The Bills have one of the NFL’s best special teams units, with kicker Tyler Bass making 92% of his field goals (including a 58-yarder) and punt returner Nyheim Hines averaging 12 yards per return. To counter this, the Bengals have spent extra time in practice on kickoff and punt coverage, with special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons emphasizing tackling fundamentals and lane discipline. Kicker Evan McPherson, who made a 53-yard field goal to beat the Steelers earlier this season, has also practiced long kicks in conditions similar to Buffalo’s (cold weather and wind), simulating the game-day environment. “Special teams can win or lose this game,” Simmons said. “If we can pin them deep on punts, or block a field goal, that changes the momentum. We’re not taking any plays off here—every rep in special teams is just as important as a rep in the offense or defense.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, special teams preparation is a sign of their attention to detail—they know the Bills won’t beat themselves, so every phase of the game has to be executed perfectly.

Bills Week Preparations Ramp Up for the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with the Bengals’ mental preparation, a focus on staying calm under pressure and embracing the high stakes of the matchup. Head coach Zac Taylor has held team meetings emphasizing the importance of this game—both for the Bengals’ playoff hopes and for their reputation as a top AFC team. He’s also brought in former Bengals player Chad Johnson to speak to the team, sharing stories of his own battles against the Bills and urging them to play with passion and focus. “This is the kind of game you dream about as a kid,” Taylor said in a team meeting. “A chance to play against the best, in a game that matters. We’ve put in the work all week, and now it’s time to go out there and execute. Trust your training, trust your teammates, and let’s bring home a win.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, the mental edge is just as important as the physical preparation—they know the Bills will be fired up, but they believe their hard work and focus will carry them through. As practice winds down and game day approaches, one thing is clear: the Bengals are ready. Their preparations have been intense, their adjustments have been targeted, and their resolve has never been stronger. This isn’t just another game—it’s a chance to prove they belong among the NFL’s elite, and they’re not letting it slip away.