The second-to-last Sunday of the season is like the Fantasy Super Bowl for many of you. Interest drops off significantly heading into the final week. But some of you are still competing tonight, and some have plenty to play for in Week 18.
So next Monday will be my last post of the season. Until then, let's dive into tonight's game, and then prep for Week 18, before wrapping up with a final column--an exclamation point on another entertaining, emotional, and for some of you, incredibly successful season.
Tonight's contest might be a preview of an AFC Divisional Round playoff matchup, or maybe even the AFC title game. Two highly talented offenses and two somewhat underperforming defenses.
Of course, the Bills have the better D: 13 more sacks, three more forced turnovers, and 2.9 fewer points surrendered per game. I'm giving them the edge largely for this reason. Even with the great Von Miller out for the year, Buffalo has given up 13 or fewer points in three of their last four outings.
Now, that doesn't mean they can slow Cincy. But I believe the Bills can do enough to post at least 27 points--something only the Steelers and Browns have been able to do against the Bengals. Strange, I know.
Presumably, if you're starting guys tonight, you're locked in. In other words, you're probably not deciding between Dawson Knox and Hayden Hurst, or between Devin Singletary and James Cook. If you are, I prefer Knox and Cook, for what it's worth.
The key here is that both teams are facing big stakes. The Bills can claim the AFC's #1 seed and a first-round bye if they win tonight and then next week against the Patriots. The Bengals can claim it if they win tonight and next week against the Ravens--and if the Chiefs lose to the Raiders. And if Cincinnati loses, they would need to beat Baltimore next week to simply win the AFC North.
Huge game. Huge stakes. A massive collection of high-ceiling producers. I've got Buffalo winning 29-24. Leave your prediction below, and good luck if your title hopes come down to what happens.
So next Monday will be my last post of the season. Until then, let's dive into tonight's game, and then prep for Week 18, before wrapping up with a final column--an exclamation point on another entertaining, emotional, and for some of you, incredibly successful season.
Tonight's contest might be a preview of an AFC Divisional Round playoff matchup, or maybe even the AFC title game. Two highly talented offenses and two somewhat underperforming defenses.
Of course, the Bills have the better D: 13 more sacks, three more forced turnovers, and 2.9 fewer points surrendered per game. I'm giving them the edge largely for this reason. Even with the great Von Miller out for the year, Buffalo has given up 13 or fewer points in three of their last four outings.
Now, that doesn't mean they can slow Cincy. But I believe the Bills can do enough to post at least 27 points--something only the Steelers and Browns have been able to do against the Bengals. Strange, I know.
Presumably, if you're starting guys tonight, you're locked in. In other words, you're probably not deciding between Dawson Knox and Hayden Hurst, or between Devin Singletary and James Cook. If you are, I prefer Knox and Cook, for what it's worth.
The key here is that both teams are facing big stakes. The Bills can claim the AFC's #1 seed and a first-round bye if they win tonight and then next week against the Patriots. The Bengals can claim it if they win tonight and next week against the Ravens--and if the Chiefs lose to the Raiders. And if Cincinnati loses, they would need to beat Baltimore next week to simply win the AFC North.
Huge game. Huge stakes. A massive collection of high-ceiling producers. I've got Buffalo winning 29-24. Leave your prediction below, and good luck if your title hopes come down to what happens.