ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. _ The Bengals walked in here at Highmark Stadium Sunday during light snow showers after the obligatory snowballs tossed against their buses to find the weather exactly like they thought it would be.
Which is why head coach Zac Taylor practiced outside Wednesday and Thursday, the heaviest day of their week that includes working on third-down situations.
It looked a lot like Christmas, not to mention the last time the Bengals were here when they dominated the AFC Divisional in a 27-10 win over the Bills. It was 34 degrees that day as about two inches of light snow fell. When the Bengals took the field Sunday for warmups, it was coated with light snow amid a temperature of about 30 degrees.
That may be a good sign for quarterback Joe Burrow. In that '22 game, he threw for two touchdowns and 242 yards, completing 64% of his passes on 23 of 36 for a 101.9 passer rating.
The big difference?
The Bills come in with snowshoes, fitting the NFL's top rushing team.
But Burrow is undefeated during the regular season in sub-freezing weather, racking up a 3-0 record on 74% passing with a passer rating of 98.5. In the coldest game he ever played during the 18-degree 2022 Christmas Eve game in New England, he completed 76.9% of his 52 passes. Those 40 completions are a career-high.
Slants and Screens
Wide receiver Tee Higgins, who missed the Baltimore win with a concussion, is back with a good cold-weather pedigree. He has a 148-yard game in 27 degrees on his resume …
The Bengals announced about two hours before kickoff that wide receiver Jermaine Burton had been suspended for Sunday's game. He hasn't played in a game this year …
Also inactive were tight end Cam Grandy and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson …
Edge Trey Hendrickson (hip/pelvis) was ruled out Friday …
Jake Browning is the emergency third quarterback …
See the best photos of player warm-ups before kickoff of the Bills-Bengals game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow greets Bills QB Josh Allen ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
K Evan McPherson warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
This is the Buffalo Bills logo on the field at Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals in Buffalo, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
P Ryan Rehkow warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
DT T.J. Slaton Jr. warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
TE Mike Gesicki warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
CB DJ Turner II warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
C Ted Karras warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
RB Samaje Perine warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
WR Mitch Tinsley warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
CB DJ Turner II warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
WR Tee Higgins warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
CB Dax Hill warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
RB Tahj Brooks warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
DT Kris Jenkins Jr. warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
C Ted Karras warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
DT B.J. Hill warms up ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
