Please see below for staff predictions.
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Outlook:The Bengals come into the game as one of the AFC’s Super Bowl contenders, so it was going to be hard enough without the uncertainty at quarterback.
Taylor has been banged up throughout the season, but he has yet to miss a game. Coming into the matchup, the Bengals have been extremely efficient on offense, defense and special teams.
In 2014, Watkins saw double-digit targets in five games, and racked up at least 87 yards in every game but one.
Dalton is off to a stellar start in 2015, completing 67.5 percent of his passes for 1,518 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Bills are dealing with adversity, mostly in the form of injuries. Backup running back Karlos Williams is still being monitored for a concussion.
NO OFFENSE: The Bills have had difficulty generating offence since McCoy was sidelined following a 41-14 win at Miami.
In the first two games of the season before the injury, Watkins, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay each were targeted 10 times by quarterback Tyrod Taylor. EJ Manuel is going to have to step up his game big time. The Bills covered as a 1-point road dog last Sunday, although that was the line at kickoff.
The lack of offensive production is the reason why many have counted the Bills out this weekend. “There was a flag thrown on him, and I’m sure the league will address it the way they address it”, Jackson said. He provides the Bills experienced depth after Buffalo traded veteran journeyman Matt Cassel to Dallas three weeks ago. He was 13 of 15 for 135 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime.
We don’t even know if Watkins will be playing this Sunday, or if EJ will be starting in place of Tyrod, but if Sammy had his way, he would be on the field – even if it meant reinjuring his calf muscle. Don’t be surprised if A.J. Green is locked down this week with the dynamic corner duo of Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby taking their shots at him.
Bennett, though, was unapologetic about the play when he talked with reporters Wednesday, saying he was simply treating a quarterback the way he would a player at any other position.
Lately, the Bills have seemed less like a team on the come than a team on the edge. Seemingly lost in the shuffle is the upcoming game in Buffalo.
Despite reports Taylor will miss this Sunday’s game with the Bengals and maybe more, Rex Ryan says that is still to be determined. Their top two playmakers might return to action.
Buffalo’s offense is a mess right now. “They are starting to call plays, put us in better situations, and it is just working out better for the whole team”.
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The Bengals’ ground attack has set up Dalton to have success, yet the Bills can take that away. The Bengals have no real weaknesses, while the Bills are scrambling for answers. He was struck in the head by Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson at the end of the first half of last Thursday’s loss, but returned to the field after missing just one play.
