The Bengals arrive at Highmark Stadium under light snow, finding weather that feels almost preordained for their visit. After some playful snowball tossing at their buses, head coach Zac Taylor opted to practice outside on Wednesday and Thursday, the midweek sessions focused on third-down scenarios in conditions that resemble a winter game script.
The scene carried a familiar Christmas-like vibe, reminiscent of the previous AFC Divisional showdown here when Cincinnati dominated Buffalo 27-10. That earlier battle came with about two inches of light snow and a 34-degree chill. This Sunday, the Bengals warmed up on a field lightly dusted with snow and hovering near 30 degrees.
If there’s a silver lining for quarterback Joe Burrow, it’s this: in that 2022 playoff-tinged matchup, he tossed two touchdowns for 242 yards, completing 64% of his passes (23 of 36) for a 101.9 passer rating.
The big contrast entering this game is the Bills’ top-ranked ground attack, equipped for snow and slashing downhill runs. Yet Burrow has thrived in cold, outdoor games. He’s 3-0 in regular-season sub-freezing conditions, delivering about 74% completions with a 98.5 passer rating. His coldest test—the 18-degree Christmas Eve showdown in New England back in 2022—saw him complete 76.9% of 52 attempts, finishing with 40 completions, a personal best.
Slants and screens may play a key role here. Tee Higgins, who missed the win over Baltimore due to a concussion, returns with proven cold-weather effectiveness, including a 148-yard outburst in 27-degree conditions.
Shortly before kickoff, Cincinnati announced that wide receiver Jermaine Burton would be suspended for the game, and he hasn’t appeared in a game this season. Also ruled inactive were tight end Cam Grandy and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson. Edge Trey Hendrickson was listed as out with a hip/pelvis issue on Friday. Jake Browning was designated the emergency third quarterback.
Notes from the scene: the Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow greeted Bills quarterback Josh Allen ahead of Week 14 in Buffalo, while Evan McPherson prepared for the chilly conditions. The Bills’ logo was visible on the field, with photographers and fans capturing the pregame moments as teams prepared to battle in the snow.
Bottom line: this matchup pits Burrow’s steady, postseason-tested poise against Buffalo’s explosive home-field advantage in wintry conditions. Whether the Bengals can reproduce their divisional-era success in similar weather—and whether Buffalo can lean on the elements for their rushing attack—will shape whether Cincinnati returns home with a win or if Buffalo’s snow-draped field proves too much. How do you see the weather tipping the balance: favoring Burrow’s precision or the Bills’ running game? Share your thoughts in the comments.
