Bills vs Bengals predictions and start time for Week 14

The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals meet at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on December 7, 2025, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX. This AFC matchup pairs an 8-4 Buffalo team pushing for playoff seeding against a 4-8 Cincinnati squad trying to keep faint postseason hopes alive, making Bills vs Bengals predictions and start time key details for fans.

The Bills enter on the back of a dominant road win in Pittsburgh that showcased a powerful ground game and a refreshed defense. Cincinnati arrives with Joe Burrow back under center and an offense trending up, but a defense that has struggled for most of the season, setting the stage for a game where Buffalo’s balance will be tested by Burrow’s downfield passing.

Bills vs Bengals predictions and start time for this AFC showdown

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, with television coverage on FOX. Local radio, team apps, and standard NFL audio platforms will also carry the broadcast, while U.S. fans can access the matchup through participating live TV streaming services that include FOX in their channel lineups.

On paper, Buffalo has clear statistical edges. The Bills come in at 8-4 after a 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, powered by 249 rushing yards and a defense that allowed only 10 first downs and seven points. Josh Allen has already set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, while running back James Cook III ranks among the league’s leading rushers and just logged another 100-yard performance. {index=1}

Cincinnati, meanwhile, is 4-8 but far more dangerous than its record suggests. Joe Burrow returned from a long turf toe absence and immediately delivered a sharp performance, with over 250 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in a 32-14 road win at Baltimore. The Bengals have been strong in late-season games in recent years, posting one of the league’s best records in December and January, and Burrow has a long track record of elevating his play in these high-leverage spots.

Where the matchup tilts heavily toward Buffalo is when the Bills offense faces the Bengals defense. Buffalo’s offense grades near the top of the league in total yards, rushing output, and scoring, while Cincinnati’s defense ranks at or near the bottom in total defense, pass defense, and scoring allowed. Even with some improvement in tackling over the last two weeks, the Bengals still give up explosive plays and long drives, which is dangerous against a Bills team that just dominated time of possession in Pittsburgh.

Injuries add another layer. For the Bengals, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is expected to remain out, removing their top pass rushing threat and making it harder to contain Allen’s dual-threat ability. On the Buffalo side, edge rusher Joey Bosa and linebacker Terrel Bernard are out, but the Bills have elevated depth pieces on defense and still field a top-tier pass unit, led by corner Christian Benford, who is coming off a standout game that included an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. Tight end Dalton Kincaid and right tackle Spencer Brown are closer to returns, which could further stabilize Buffalo’s offense.

Taking all of this together, a logical projection points to Buffalo controlling the flow of the game with its run game and defense, while Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase do enough to keep the Bengals competitive. Rather than the extremely wide computer margin that has been floated elsewhere, a more balanced expectation is a one-score to two-score Bills win that respects Cincinnati’s late-season competitiveness and Burrow’s impact when healthy.

Prediction: Bills 27, Bengals 20. Buffalo’s depth on defense, elite rushing attack, and home-field advantage in cold Orchard Park conditions give the Bills the edge, but Burrow’s presence and Cincinnati’s track record in December should keep the scoreline closer than the most lopsided models suggest.

How Bills vs Bengals could play out on Sunday

Buffalo’s offensive identity has quietly shifted toward a run-heavy, physically demanding style that wears defenses down over four quarters. With James Cook III leading the way and Allen still a constant red-zone rushing threat, the Bills can attack Cincinnati’s vulnerable run defense, which has struggled all season and ranks near the bottom of the league in most major categories. Sustained drives that feature Cook early and Allen on designed runs and scrambles on key downs should tilt possession heavily toward Buffalo.

In the passing game, Allen does not need to play hero ball for the Bills to win this matchup. Short and intermediate throws to receivers like Khalil Shakir, plus potential contributions from Kincaid if he returns, can steadily target soft spots in Cincinnati’s coverage. If the Bills offensive line holds up reasonably well, the absence of Hendrickson on the Bengals’ edge rush should make it harder for Cincinnati to disrupt Buffalo’s timing or consistently force Allen into hurried throws.

For Cincinnati, the offensive plan revolves around Burrow’s decision-making and his chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase. Burrow is coming off an efficient performance in Baltimore, and he now faces a Bills defense that, while banged up in the front seven, remains among the league’s best against the pass. Buffalo’s top-ranked pass defense and aggressive ball skills will test Burrow’s patience, forcing him to work underneath and avoid risky throws into tight windows. That dynamic increases the likelihood of long, methodical drives rather than quick-strike touchdowns.

Cincinnati’s best path to an upset is clean execution and turnover avoidance. The Bengals have generated takeaways on defense in recent weeks, and if they can steal an extra possession or two from Allen, the game script changes. However, Buffalo has generally responded well when its backs are against the wall in late-season games, and the Bills’ overall December and January record in recent years underscores their ability to close strong at home.

Special teams could also matter. Buffalo’s recent success with return scores, including a long kickoff return touchdown in Houston, shows how quickly the Bills can flip field position and momentum on a single play. Cincinnati’s coverage units will need to be sharp to prevent hidden yardage from compounding the challenge their defense already faces against a top-tier Bills offense.

In the end, Bills vs Bengals predictions and start time point toward a high-stakes AFC game in which Buffalo’s balanced profile, cold-weather experience, and late-season track record make it the more reliable side, while a healthy Joe Burrow keeps Cincinnati competitive but just short in a projected 27-20 Bills victory.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the Bills vs Bengals start time in Week 14?

The Bills vs Bengals game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The matchup will be played at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, with television coverage on FOX.

Q2: What are the key Bills vs Bengals predictions for this game?

The main prediction is that Buffalo’s strong rushing attack and top-tier pass defense will control the game. With Joe Burrow back, Cincinnati should move the ball, but Buffalo’s overall balance and home field edge make a Bills win more likely.

Q3: Which players could decide Bills vs Bengals in Week 14?

For Buffalo, Josh Allen and James Cook III are central to the offensive game plan, especially on the ground. For Cincinnati, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase must consistently win through the air against one of the league’s best pass defenses.

Q4: How important is this Bills vs Bengals matchup for the playoff picture?

At 8-4, Buffalo is trying to strengthen its position in the AFC playoff race and possibly improve seeding. The 4-8 Bengals have little margin left, so a road win in Orchard Park is critical to keeping any late playoff push alive.

Q5: What final score is projected for Bills vs Bengals?

A reasonable projection is Bills 27, Bengals 20. That reflects Buffalo’s statistical edge, late-season form, and home field advantage, while respecting Cincinnati’s improved offense with a healthy Burrow under center.