Week nine of the NFL season is here, and the Cincinnati Bengals enter their eighth game of the season with an extra bounce in their step after knocking off the San Francisco 49ers on the road last Sunday in impressive fashion.
However, the opponent doesn't get easier as the 5-3 Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen come to Paycor Stadium for a Primetime Sunday Night match-up as the Bengals look for their fourth straight win and first win against an AFC opponent this season.
There will be a lot of outside noise leading up to kickoff as many will be watching for Bills safety Damar Hamlin's return to Cincinnati after he suffered cardiac arrest in their Week 17 match-up against the Bengals last season that caused the game to be postponed and later canceled.
Over the years, these two teams have seen some great and memorable games, and Sunday night's game marks the 15th time since 2002 the two teams have played. While the Bills hold a one-game advantage (17-16) over the Bengals in regular-season and postseason play, the Bengals have won five of the last seven match-ups, including a 27-10 win in last season's Divisional Playoff in Buffalo.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is 1-1 against the Bills and will look for Joe Burrow and the offense to continue their hot start, having scored on their first possession of the game for three consecutive games.
Can Burrow match his performance from last week?
Will the Bengals' defense keep Josh Allen, who has already thrown for 4,283 yards, in check, and Lou Anarumo's defense find a way to slow down Allen's primary target, Stefon Diggs, who already has 1,429 receiving yards from having another big game?
Will the Bengals' offensive line be able to keep Von Miller and Greg Rousseau off Burrow, as the two have combined for 16 sacks this season?
You can find out from Dave Lapham in the latest In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, the key things the Bengals need to earn their fifth victory of the season.
Remember to participate each week the Bengals play in the "GIANT" First Star Logistics giveaway. Visit First Star Logistics on Twitter / X at @FirstStarLog for weekly details.  https://twitter.com/Firststarlog