Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills: Game preview, odds, and predictions
By Jason Marcum
The Bengals should be will be favored by nearly every oddsmaker, as they enter this game as healthy as they’ve been this year, highlighted by the likely return of cornerback Leon Hall, while on the other side, the Bills will be without their starting quarterback, rookie-sensation E.J. Manuel, and in his place will be Thaddeus Lewis getting called-up from the practice squad.
Given the Bengals struggles on the road, this game should be close throughout, and how well Thad Lewis plays could determine the outcome of this game. The 2-headed monster at running back between C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson will also be interesting to watch go up against one of the better run defenses in the NFL, lead by All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins, as well as linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who currently is one tackle behind the league-leader in tackles with 50.
He’ll face a stiff test going against Bills RBs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, who lead the AFC in rushing. Jackson has 462 yards from scrimmage (309 rushing, 153 receiving), which is fourth in the AFC. His 28 first downs are tied for third in the league. Spiller is sixth in the AFC in rushing and averaged a league-best 6.0 yards per carry last year.