Bills Rule Out Two Defenders Amid AFC East Race With Patriots

The New England Patriots are idle in Week 14, but they can take another step toward an AFC East title if the Buffalo Bills falter.

New England wields a 2.5-game division lead entering its bye. While the Patriots can’t clinch the AFC East this weekend, the Bills’ slim chances of mounting a comeback would shrink if they lose to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Buffalo’s defense will be without two key players when it faces Joe Burrow and Co. this Sunday. The Bills ruled out defensive end Joey Bosa (hamstring/wrist) and linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow) on Friday.

Bosa recorded his team-leading fifth sack in Sunday’s 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The five-time Pro Bowler had played in all 12 games for his new AFC team after ending a nine-year stint with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bernard, who sat out last Sunday’s win, will miss his third game of the season. That missed time could cost the 26-year-old captain his third straight 100-tackle campaign, as he currently has 56 with two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Buffalo will enter Sunday with an NFL-low 163.2 passing yards allowed per game, but a battered unit must combat Burrow in his second game back from a toe injury. The star quarterback kept Cincinnati’s playoff hopes alive by amassing 261 yards and two touchdowns in a Thanksgiving win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Making matters worse for Buffalo, the Bengals are slated to finally see their passing offense at full strength. Tee Higgins cleared concussion protocol on Friday and is expected to play on Sunday, per ESPN’s Ben Baby. The star wide receiver last played in a Week 12 loss to New England.