by Chris Asbrock
Buffalo Bills (2-0) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
New Era Field
Sunday, 9/22/2019
1:00 P.M. EST
CBS
Line: BUF -6.0
The 2019 season has been one of ups and downs for the Cincinnati Bengals. In week 1, they lost a close 21-20 game, on the road at Seattle. Last week, they were blown apart by the 49ers, 41-17. The results couldn’t have been any more different for a team in the first two games of the season.
Let’s take a look at the breakdown between these two teams heading into this matchup.
In terms of talent, the Bengals offense has the clear advantage. Like it is always said, the game is not played on paper. In the first two weeks, quarterback Andy Dalton has thrived in Zac Taylor’s offense, firing the ball around the field, throwing for a total of 729 yards and 4 TD. With A.J. Green out, it has been John Ross III who has benefited the most. Both Dalton and Ross are second in the league in passing and receiving respectively. Dalton is just 92 passing yards behind Patrick Mahomes, who will most likely run away with total yards passing but it was expected he would flourish under Taylor as coach. The rushing game is what has killed this team in the first two games. The Bengals have rushed for only 59 yards through the first two games, which was not expected in the new Taylor offense. The offensive line has been nothing short of brutal in the first two games but injuries have done them in this season. Injuries to Cordy Glenn, Andre Smith, Michael Jordan and Jonah Williams have thrown the season into question. The offensive line was bad last season and with a few injuries, things haven’t changed much. Coming into the game, the offense has averaged 394 yards and 18.5 points per game this season. If the offensive line can manage to hold their own and keep Dalton upright and run block, the Bengals offense should be able to move the ball on the Bills defense.
On the other side, the Bills offense goes by way of Josh Allen. The second-year quarterback has thrown for 507 yards and 2 TD in two games. Allen can also make things happen via the ground. Allen has rushed 17 times for 59 yards and 2 TD on the season. Despite his ability to scramble, Allen has been sacked four times this season. Last week, Allen was sacked three times against the Giants. The Bills under coach Sean McDermott have seen mixed results. In his first season, they made the playoffs after finishing 2nd in the AFC East, eventually losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Game. Last season, they fell back to reality, going 6-10 but this season, things have seem to have come together, starting the season 2-0. The Bills have the 9th best rushing attack, averaging 139.5 yards per game and 22.5 points per game. The potential is there for the Bills to have another great game but if the Bengals defense can step up and play like they did in Seattle, the Bills could find it difficult sledding.
Advantage: Push
Defense
The Bengals defense is the one unit that has had the most drastic change from week 1 to week 2. The Bengals defense made life a living hell for the Seahawks and shut down Chris Carson on the ground, while pressuring Russell Wilson all game. Last week, the Bengals defense took a major step back, getting dominated by the 49ers. After allowing only 232 yards in week 1, the Bengals were torched for 571 total yards against the 49ers. There isn’t much to say about this other than the defense must step up. Is the defense as bad as they were last week? One would have to think they aren’t but not being able to apply any pressure on the quarterback is asking to get pummeled. That is what happened last week. If the Bengals can shore up their defense and apply pressure on Josh Allen, they have the potential to have a great game. If that does not hold true, Allen could have a big day, taking advantage of a under performing secondary.
The Bills defense has taken advantage of the competition they have faced this season, knocking off the New York Jets 17-16 to start off the season and followed up with a 28-14 victory over the New York Giants. While both teams aren’t the strongest, the Bills defense has been impressive to start the season. They boast the 6th best total team defense, with an average of 296.5 yards per game allowed and giving up a total of 30 points. The Bills defense has racked up 5 sacks this season and have to be salivating going up against this Bengals depleted offensive line. Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Siran Neal, Tre’Davious White and Levi Wallace have been tackling machines for the Bills this season. Facing the Bengals offensive line, look for Jordan Poyer, Lorenzo Alexander, Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson to potentially have big games going after Dalton.
Advantage: Bills
Special Teams
Special teams is always a position group that looms large in crucial times. Both teams have one of the best players at the placekicker and punter position. It has been said every week that Kevin Huber is one of the best punters in the league. His ability to flip field position and seemly always pin the opponent inside the 20 yard line can’t be stated how important that is. Huber has punted 9 times already this season for an average of 44.8 yards per punt. He has twice pinned the opponent inside the 20 and does have 1 touchback. Randy Bullock remains a solid kicker for the Bengals making all of his attempts inside of 40 yards. Beyond 40 yards this season, he has missed both attempts. In the return game, the Bengals have Alex Erickson who can change the game with one return. Along with Erickson, Zac Taylor has used Darius Phillips and Giovanni Bernard to return kicks. Phillips has returned 4 kicks for 100 yards total.
The Buffalo Bills have Corey Bojorquez who does their punting. This season, Bojorquez has punted 10 times, averaging 45.5 yards per punt with a long punt of 63 yards. He has pinned the opponent inside the 20 twice, with two touchbacks to go along with that. Stephen Hauschka has been considered as one of the better kickers in the league but this season, has seen very little work. Hauschka has only attempted one field goal this season, a 43-yard field goal in week 1. Micah Hyde is their return man in the punting game.
Coaching
There really isn’t much to say here. This is a matchup between two coaches who are young. McDermott has two full seasons of experience over Zac Taylor, including a playoff birth. McDermott is an even 17-17 in the regular season as head coach of the Bills but has things looking bright in Buffalo. Taylor, who came from the Los Angeles Rams, has been a breath of fresh air for the Bengals and their fans. Getting the monkey off his back and notching his first victory is crucial for this 36 year-old head coach.
Advantage: Bills
This is a big game for both teams. The Bengals badly need a win and the Bills want to stay undefeated to start the season. With the Bengals traveling to Pittsburgh and the Bills hosting the Patriots next week, both have big games next week so it will be interesting to see if either team is looking ahead. The Bengals have the talent and skill to knock off the Bills but their performance last week placed a lot of doubt in peoples’ minds. One thing is certain, the Bengals are not as bad as they were last week, so with that being the case, can the Bengals rise up and notch the first victory under Zac Taylor.
Prediction: Bills 28-20
Other Game Picks:
Cowboys over the Dolphins
Packers over the Broncos
Falcons over the Colts
Chiefs over the Ravens
Vikings over the Raiders
Patriots over the Jets
Eagles over Lions
Cardinals over the Panthers
Buccaneers over the Giants
Texans over the Chargers
49ers over the Steelers
Seahawks over the Saints
Rams over the Browns
Bears over the Redskins
Impact Sports Cincinnati 