Bills add yet another veteran leading up to SNF matchup vs. Bengals
For the third time in about 10 months, the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills will start an NFL game against one another. The Bengals are behind the Bills in the current AFC playoff picture, but it's the visitors this week looking to even the score after last year's playoffs. Buffalo has had a busy week […]
For the third time in about 10 months, the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills will start an NFL game against one another. The Bengals are behind the Bills in the current AFC playoff picture, but it's the visitors this week looking to even the score after last year's playoffs.
Buffalo has had a busy week in terms of player acquisition. Running back Leonard Fournette was signed to its practice squad on Tuesday, and cornerback Rasul Douglas landed with the team later that day thanks to a trade with the Green Bay Packers.
Two days later, free agent defensive tackle Linval Joseph agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.7 million contract, making him the third notable veteran to join Buffalo ahead of Sunday night's primetime matchup in Cincinnati.
And all of them could feasibly suit up against the Bengals.
The last four weeks have been an uneasy rollercoaster for Bills Mafia, going 2-2 with a near loss to the New York Giants and an actual loss to the New England Patriots. Linebacker Matt Milano also went down with a season-ending leg injury in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars over in London. Most recently, Buffalo managed a quality win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's been the Bills' defense that's struggled the most in this timeframe, specifically against the pass. Buffalo is 29th in EPA/play allowed and 27th in EPA/drop back allowed. This makes the Douglas trade sensible, as the former Packer has plenty of starting experience, though has been inconsistent for most of his career.
Fournette and Joseph seem to fit the bill (no pun intended) as experienced players looking to latch onto a contender late in the season. The Bills have enjoyed much success running the ball this year with their main back in James Cook, and quarterback Josh Allen always provides a spark when he takes off and runs. How will Fournette fit into this equation this week? He'll first have to be elevated off the practice squad to do so.
Joseph was signed to the active roster, which makes him an instant option to plug in at defensive tackle. DaQuan Jones was also injured during that loss to the Jags, and the position group has been weak without him. Joseph is obviously well rested having just joined a team for the first time this year, making a quick turnaround for him to suit up this week a possibility that can't be ruled out.
The main stars of this matchup will ultimately dictate how the game will go. Allen, Stefon Diggs, and all the other core pieces that make the Bills a threat will be out there to face the Bengals' cast of elite characters, but no one can say Buffalo isn't pulling out all the stops to ramp up their roster right beforehand.
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