The Buffalo Bills and their “X-factors” continue their 2025 NFL season with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 14.
While game plans, coaching, and strategy will play a part, but sometimes a big emphasis will sit with some individual players. In terms of the defensive side of the ball, who could those be?
Here are Bills Wire’s three potential X-factors on the Bills (8-4) defense against the Bengals (4-8):
DE Greg Rousseau
Joey Bosa’s health is up in the air as he is now dealing with a hamstring injury. If he can’t take on the Bengals, Rousseau has to show he’s a true No. 1 pass rusher even without Bosa on the other side of the Bills’ defensive line.
CB Christian Benford
Benford was just named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Bengals top receiver Ja’Marr Chase needs to introduction.
Benford will have his hands full.
LB Matt Milano
Similar to Rousseau, if Milano’s positional partner in Terrel Bernard (elbow) is not healthy enough to play, he needs to flex his veteran experience. Both against the run and pass.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 3 X-factors on the Bills defense vs. the Bengals in Week 14
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
