The Cincinnati Bengals completely broke down in Week 2 against the 49ers after nearly winning in Seattle. Now they take on the Buffalo Bills as they search for their first victory of the season. Here are some key players on both teams to watch.
OL Billy Price
Michael Jordan is a game-time decision with a knee injury. If he can’t go, Billy Price will work his way back into the lineup. He’s hoping to perform well enough to help the Bengals get their first win of the season and to try and reclaim his starting spot in the lineup for good. It certainly won’t be easy for whoever is in that spot, as they may get a healthy dose of Ed Oliver. It’ll be up to Price (or Jordan) to do all they can to make sure Oliver does not get his hands on Andy Dalton.
Josh Tupou/Andrew Billings/Renell Wren
The defensive tackles are going to be a bit thinner Sunday with Ryan Glasgow out with a thigh injury. That will mean more work for Tupou and Billings and perhaps a better look at the rookie Renell Wren. Wren was extremely athletic at Arizona State but needs to show if that athleticism can translate into production at the NFL level. Sunday may be his chance to showcase that ability.
RB T.J. Yeldon
The Bills were employing a running back by committee approach with three backs. Now they’ll work with just two Sunday as Devin Singletary is out with a hamstring injury. We know Frank Gore will work, as he’s been running as the top back in the committee. But Sunday will present more of an opportunity for Yeldon, as he’ll be called upon to spell the ageless Gore and take some of the work that will be opened up from the absence of Singletary.
DT Ed Oliver
Oliver has had a quiet start to his NFL career, registering just four tackles thus far. But he has to be looking at the Bengals’ offensive line and the holes in them heading into Sunday and salivating at his chance to knock Andy Dalton around. Oliver may come away from Sunday’s game with a sack or two and make life for the Bills’ back seven a lot easier.
