‘In any case, this figures to be an offensive showdown even though some snow with temperatures in the mid 30s are predicted.’
BillsBeat - January 21, 2023
Bills are right where they wanted to be
‘Before Hamlin’s injury, Cincinnati’s offense had seemingly taken control of the game early and if that had followed through to a win, the Bills would have been going back to Paycor Stadium tomorrow, having lost head-to-head.’
Running back carries have tilted toward James Cook over Devin Singletary in recent weeks for Bills
‘“I think he’s just gotten more and more comfortable as the season’s gone (on). He’s gotten that experience and those reps,” Dorsey said. “With the trade (of Zack Moss to Indianapolis) earlier in the year, that gives him more opportunities, so I think it’s a combination of a lot of things. It’s a combination of him working hard and putting himself in position to be out there more because we trust him. That’s from a pass-protection standpoint to a run-game standpoint to a being-out-in-routes standpoint. So, I think he’s done a really good job with that to earn not only our trust, but the all the guys on offense. He’s just become more and more comfortable as the year has gone on.”’
'It just brought our family closer': Bills' rematch with Bengals comes with added perspective
‘For a few reasons – Hamlin’s improved health, the passage of time and the win or go home stakes – both teams seem poised for what is sure to be an emotionally charged atmosphere.’
Cincinnati's revamped offensive line will have three fill-in starters against Bills
‘The group had what the Buffalo Bills searched for all season – continuity. Until the Bengals didn’t.’
Bills' Dion Dawkins chosen as inaugural 'Kent Hull Stand Up Guy' award winner
‘”It goes a long way. As an offensive lineman, it’s hard to get awards,” Dawkins said. “Most of our stats are against us. They don’t count all of our good blocks. They count all of our bad blocks. To receive any type of appreciation or award, in general, it goes miles. I’m really thankful. I truly am. I’m going to put this up just like it’s a game ball, because this is an honor. I’m honored to be in front of y’all confidently. I always speak on how I’m vulnerable and I just let my true self be fluent. I guess it’s showing, so I appreciate it.”‘
Bills to receive gold Damar Hamlin pendants from New York-based jeweler
‘The 80 custom pendants for Bills players and staff have a 2.5-inch, 14-karat gold No. 3 along with a gold heart. The back of the pendant includes the text from a tweet of Hamlin’s that resurfaced after his injury: “If you get a chance to show some love today do it! It won’t cost you nothing.”’
Erik Brady: Dan Hoard started life as a Bills fan. Now he's the Voice of the Bengals – but his Mom still loves him
‘“I didn’t like the results back then, but I will feel differently if the Bengals come out on top this week,” Hoard says. “I am 100 percent rooting for my current team to move forward, even if it breaks my mother’s heart.”’
Voice of the Fan: True believers in Bills Mafia have faith in their team and path of destiny
‘Whether it was God’s will, people’s prayers or the extraordinary skill and science of the first responders and then nurses, technicians and doctors, the Bills organization from top to bottom, and the Bills Mafia around the world all ran the full gamut from horror to relief to jubilation.’
Josh Allen, Bills offense need to fix turnover woes to advance past Bengals in playoffs
‘The Bills now have 30 turnovers in their 17 games counting the postseason and Allen is responsible for 22 — a league-high 16 interceptions plus six lost fumbles. And there could have been many more because he has put the ball on the ground an incredible 16 times and the Bills have been lucky to recover 10 of those.’
Bengals’ Joe Burrow will be without these 3 offensive starters vs. Bills
‘On Friday, Zac Taylor officially ruled Cappa and Williams out for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Heading into the divisional round of the playoffs, Cincinnati’s revamped offensive line is suddenly down three starters and only Kappa and Volson remain among their starting five.’
Bills have weathered storm, now face another tall task vs. Bengals in Divisional Round
‘“I think obviously two teams that, you know, we’re in the playoffs, want to win,” Bills safety Jordan Poyer said. “Obviously going through we went through a couple of weeks back, I think the good thing that everybody feels good about is that D-Ham is back and he’s in the building now. He’s here today. It’s just awesome to see him in and in great spirits back here. And it brings all of our spirits together, and brings all of our spirits up. So, no, I don’t think it should be any different than any other game that we’ve been in, been a part of. Obviously, like I said, two really good teams that want to win. It’s playoffs. And so we’re expecting a really great atmosphere and we’re excited for the opportunity.”’
Bills fans giddy with anticipation for Sunday’s Divisional Round tilt between Bills and Bengals
‘“I go back to the mid to late ‘60s with my Bills fandom. I can remember the AFL championship game vs. the Chiefs with the right to play in the first Super Bowl. The Bills lost that game,” Brasky said. “I was at the first Super Bowl game in Tampa vs. the Giants and endured ‘Wide Right’ while sitting right next to a Giant fan at the 20-yard line at the end where Norwood missed the field goal. I was watching ‘The Music City Miracle’ with my boys at their grandfather’s house. I think that was the first vivid memory of the Bills for my boys. And we experienced 13 seconds together last year. So there have been a lot of big games in the Bills history and this one will be right up there with them. I am really looking forward to it.”’
Falls brothers can relate to special bond between Bills and Bengals
‘What started as another memorable football outing for Glenn — a diehard Bills fan — and Joe — a lifelong Bengals fan — became one of the most memorable sporting events of their lives for reasons that weren’t in any way related to x’s and o’s.’
Saturday's Cincinnati Coverage
Bengals rule out Jonah Williams, Alex Cappa for divisional round game against Bills (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Buffalo injury report vs. Cincinnati includes Jordan Poyer, Dane Jackson, DaQuan Jones (Cincinnati Enquirer)
‘A Cincinnati story’: Sam Hubbard’s lifelong connection to his hometown (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Bengals receivers eager for matchup against Bills secondary (Dayton Daily News)
Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins ready to undermine doubters in Buffalo this weekend (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Why the Bengals are primed for a divisional round upset vs. the Bills: Andrew Gillis prediction (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Former Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle: Bengals have ‘zero chance against Bills’ (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Joe Burrow and Josh Allen will shine in divisional round: Michael Niziolek (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
How Bengals WR Tyler Boyd’s years of perseverance are paying off (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Bengals offensive linemen Jonah Williams and Alex Cappa won’t play at Buffalo on Sunday (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
The Bengals’ defense has made plays all season long — don’t expect that to stop (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Bengals Want Ball In Burrow’s Hands With Ground Game Stalled (AP)
Bengals rule out RG Alex Cappa, LT Jonah Williams vs. Bills (ESPN)
Bengals Down Two Key Offensive Linemen for Playoff Game vs. Bills Sunday (SI)
‘Part of my heart is in Ohio’: International fans with no connection to Cincinnati cheer on the Bengals (WCPO-TV)
What is a Buffalo Bill? Team named after man who hunted bison (WCPO-TV)
Niagara Falls lit orange for the Bengals: Buffalo thanks Cincinnati for ‘friendship’ ahead of game (WCPO-TV)
Hamlin injury continues to bring Bills and Bengals fans together as divisional matchup approaches (WCPO-TV)
Small businesses benefit as momentum builds for this weekend’s Bengals vs Bills rematch (WCPO-TV)
Bengals and Bills continue to share the love ahead of this weekend’s big game (WCPO-TV)
Extra meeting time driven by players has helped fuel Bengals defensive success in red zone (WKRC-TV)
Bengals-Bills by the numbers and numerous notes/tidbits plus injury report (WKRC-TV)
Charlie the Butcher shows off overlooked Buffalo cuisine (WKRC-TV)
King of the Jungle: Meet some of the Bengals’ biggest fans (WKRC-TV)
Bengals head coach officially rules out two offensive line starters for game against Bills (WLWT-TV)
Niagara Falls lights up in orange ahead of Bengals-Bills matchup in Buffalo (WLWT-TV)
Cincinnati fans show their ‘Who Dey’ spirit during rally for Bengals (WLWT-TV)
Couple who held Bengals Super Bowl wedding last year welcome twins (WLWT-TV)
Two Bengals offensive line starters ruled out for Sunday (WXIX-TV)
‘They took in our brother:’ Bills players grapple with Bengals matchup, shared trauma (WXIX-TV)
Bengals OC Callahan interviews for Colts head coach opening (WXIX-TV)
Jimmy Burrow reflects on Joe’s on-field, off-field success (WXIX-TV)
Sam Hubbard’s foundation blows past fundraising goal after ‘The Fumble in the Jungle’ (WXIX-TV)
Bills, Bengals fans start fundraiser to support heart health as Damar Hamlin recovers (WXIX-TV)
Quick Hits: Bengals Specialists Hope To Observe Super Anniversary Vs. No. 1 Bills; Practice Update; Callahan Colts’ Candidacy Endorsed At Home (Bengals.com)
Quick Hits: The Bengals Connection Between Joe Burrow And Josh Allen; More Numbers As Bengals Court History (Bengals.com)