As the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) travel to Orchard Park to face the Buffalo Bills (8-4) in Week 14, this December 7th showdown could have major implications - both for Cincinnati’s slim playoff hopes and for Buffalo’s quest to hold on in the AFC East. The matchup (1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT) brings together a Bengals team showing glimpses of life with the return of its star QB, and a Bills defense battling through multiple key injuries.

What to Know Ahead of Kickoff

  • Location & Time: Highmark Stadium, Buffalo - Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

  • Records: Bengals 4-8, Bills 8-4.

  • What’s at stake: For the Bengals- last-ditch playoff hopes and momentum building. For the Bills - maintaining home dominance and solidifying their run at the AFC East crown.

Injury & Practice Reports - Who’s In, Who’s Out?

Bengals Injury Report (as of Dec. 6, 2025)

  • Tee Higgins (WR, concussion): FP Thursday/Friday, cleared the concussion protocol, will play.

  • Trey Hendrickson (DE, hip/pelvis): OUT for Week 14 after DNP Wednesday/Thursday.

  • Shake Heyward (LB, fibula): Doubtful

Bills Injury Report (as of Dec. 6, 2025)

  • Joey Bosa (DE, hamstring/wrist): Did not practice; OUT

  • Terrel Bernard (LB, elbow): Did not practice; OUT

  • A.J. Epenesa (DE, foot): Did not practice Thursday, removed from report Friday, expected to play.

  • Dion Dawkins (OT, concussion protocol): Cleared protocol; will play.

  • Spencer Brown (OL, shoulder): LP Friday, Questionable.

  • Dalton Kincaid (TE, hamstring/knee): LP Friday; Questionable.

  • Joshua Palmer (WR, ankle/knee): Missed practice (DNP); Doubtful.

Impact of Injuries - What This Means for the Game

For the Bengals

  • The return of Tee Higgins gives Cincinnati a better shot at spacing the field and taking pressure off their ground game.

  • On defense, losing Trey Hendrickson for another week is a blow. The Bengals will need pressure from other ends - particularly younger players like Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy - to slow down the Bills’ offense.

  • If Cincinnati can exploit Buffalo’s weakened pass rush, and commit to the run game effectively, they might control time of possession and keep Buffalo’s offense off the field.

For the Bills

  • The absence of top pass rushers - Bosa and Epenesa - dramatically weakens Buffalo’s ability to pressure the quarterback. Given their importance (combined pressures and sacks), this could open the door for a Bengals offense led by an improving Joe Burrow to operate with less pressure.

Key Storylines & What to Watch

  • Pass rush void for Buffalo: With both Bosa and Epenesa out, Buffalo’s one of the league’s most dangerous defensive fronts is suddenly vulnerable - can their remaining defenders and backups fill the gap?

  • Can the Bengals run the rock? With Buffalo’s run defense struggling this season and missing key edge rushers, this could be the perfect week for a ground-heavy game plan.

  • Playoff implications: For Cincinnati, it is a must-win; for Buffalo, it’s about staying clean, healthy, and maintaining momentum toward the postseason.

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