Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills

With Damar Hamlin recovering at home, the Buffalo Bills (14-3 SU, 8-8-1 ATS) and Cincinnati Bengals (13-4, 12-5) will finally have a chance to finish what they started a few weeks ago.

Their game on January 2 was delayed and later postponed after Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. The Bills, who are 8-1 in their last nine home games vs the Bengals when favored, opened as 4.5-point favorites, or -210 on the moneyline. It should be noted, though, that Cincy is 8-0 ATS in its last eight games as an underdog. The total opened at 50.5, with each of the last three head-to-head meetings going UNDER.

Latest Betting Notes: Bengals

The Bengals are rolling, having won nine consecutive games with their last loss coming back in October to the Cleveland Browns.

Their most recent victory was a 24-17 win over division rival Baltimore last Sunday in the wild-card round. Defensive end Sam Hubbard played the role of hero as he returned a fumble 98 yards to break a fourth-quarter tie and send the Bengals to Buffalo.

Quarterback Joe Burrow had the worst statistical game of his playoff career, throwing for just 209 yards, although he passed for one touchdown and ran in another one. Ja’Marr Chase was once again his main target, catching nine passes for 84 yards and a score.

Latest Betting Notes: Bills

Like Cincinnati, Buffalo is streaking with eight straight wins, including Sunday’s thrilling 34-31 victory over the Dolphins. Quarterback Josh Allen admitted he wasn’t at his best as he threw a pair of interceptions and also fumbled once, leading to a Miami score. But he did pass for 352 yards and three touchdowns.

And while Stefon Diggs led the way with 114 receiving yards, Gabe Davis proved once again that he shows up when the lights are shining brightest, finishing with 113 receiving yards and a touchdown. In case you forgot, Davis went off for 201 yards last year in that epic postseason loss to Kansas City.

Tight end Dawson Knox also caught a touchdown pass against Cincinnati and has found the end zone in five straight games.

The Keys To Victory: Bengals

If the Bengals are going to beat the Bills, it will be imperative they establish a run game. Joe Mixon rushed for just 39 yards last week and finished the regular season with 814 yards, the second-lowest total of his career when playing at least 14 games.

With a depleted offensive line, Cincinnati will also need to protect Burrow in the pocket and give him time to look downfield. The Bengals QB has been sacked 23 times in his last five playoff games, including four times last week.

The Keys To Victory: Bills

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that Josh Allen will be a difference-maker in this game, but in what way? Allen was in the MVP conversation for most of the season, but turnovers have plagued him. In fact, Buffalo has had at least three giveaways in each of its last three games.

Giving Burrow that many extra chances isn’t a recipe for success. If the Bills are to advance, they too will likely need more production from their run game, including Allen himself, who was held to just 20 rushing yards last week.