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 offensive side of the ball, who could those be?
Here are Bills Wire’s three potential X-factors on the Bills (8-4) offense against the Bengals (4-8):
RB James Cook
The Bengals have one of the few run defenses worse than the Bills in 2025. Cincinnati ranks as the second-worst unit against the ground game (153.3 yards per game). If the Bills are smart, feeding Cook will be an emphasis.
QB Josh Allen
The quarterback is an obvious choice every game. But in such a circumstance, it’s worth highlighting Allen.
The Bills are facing Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. If this turns into a shootout, Allen has to keep up.
WR Khalil Shakir
And speaking of Allen, with all the uncertainty of the health of his playmakers? Shakir needs to keep being his reliable option out of the slot.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 3 X-factors on the Bills offense vs. the Bengals in Week 14
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
