Bills at Bengals: 7 storylines to watch for in Week 9
The Buffalo Bills will turn the page of their 2023 NFL season to Week 9 and the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bills (5-3) are fresh off a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following a 24-18 final last week. Buffalo will hope to stick to those winning ways against Cincinnati, however, the Bengals will be no pushover as there is plenty on the line ahead of this matchup.
But before we even get to kickoff, there will be a lot of Bills-related discussions and conversations to be had throughout the coming days.
With that, here are XX storylines to watch for during the lead up to Bills-Bengals on Sunday:
Playoff rematch
The last time these two met, the Bengals sent the Bills home from the 2022 postseason. The topic of getting revenge is going to be the largest storyline in western New York ahead of this matchup.
Bengal turnaround
Winners of three straight, the 1-4 start Cincinnati had this season is a thing of the past now. The Bengals have turned it around and the Bills are going to be asked about facing this streaking team all throughout the rest of this week.
Damar's return to Cincy
Damar Hamlin might be inactive as he has been for most of the 2023 season. However, he will still be in Cincinnati at Paycor Stadium for the first time since the cardiac arrest he suffered during the 2022 season. Expect an emotional scene.
Newcomers
The Bills made two moves ahead of the 2023 NFL trade deadline.
Buffalo made a trade with the Green Bay Packers for cornerback Rasul Douglas. The Bills also went the free agency route, signing running back Leonard Fournette.
Can either of them get up to speed in time to play on Sunday? Both were spotted at Wednesday’s practice in Orchard Park.
Is offense vs. the Bucs the real one?
The Bills offense in their win over the Bucs looked much more similar to the one we’ve seen in recent years as opposed to the unit from the first part of this season.
Quarterback Josh Allen was using his feet. Other playmakers aside from Stefon Diggs got involved. Will that trend continue or will Buffalo revert back? And will the slow starts return?
Allen's shoulder
Having played the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, the Bills got a few extra days of rest. Bills players, particularly Josh Allen and the shoulder issue has has dealt with, got some extra days of rest.
How are they holding up?
Handling the linebacker hole
At linebacker, the Bills had another new look filling in for Matt Milano next to Terrel Bernard against Tampa Bay. Buffalo had Tyrel Dodson out there over rookie Dorian Williams, but on passing downs, safety Taylor Rapp took his place.
Will that look continue against the Bengals?
