We all will never forget the last time the Bills and Bengals shared a football field. It was horrifying and traumatic from our various vantage points.
I can't even imagine the impact of those who saw it up close.
That's something the Bills and Bengals will forever share beyond football.
But with Damar Hamlin thankfully continuing to remarkably recover, the focus can once again shift to football for both teams.
And the stakes can't get much higher. Win or go home playoff time.
Let's look at what's on tap as these two finally get to duke it out from start to finish.
Banged Up Bengals Front
Cincinnati's offensive line showed solid improvement most of this season from a year ago, dropping Joe Burrow's sacks from 51 in 2021 to 41 in 2022.
However, injuries have hit that group hard down the home stretch.
Right tackle La’el Collins was placed on injured reserve a few weeks ago with a torn ACL.
Now left tackle Jonah Williams and right guard Alex Cappa have already been ruled out for Sunday's game.
Expect Jackson Carman to slide in at left tackle, Max Scharping at right guard, and Hakeem Adeniji to play right tackle.
This is where the Bills defense will really look to take advantage.
The Bills registered 12 sacks over the six final games of the regular season after Von Miller suffered a torn ACL on Thanksgiving.
However, the D took down Skylar Thompson four times last weekend in the wild card round.
Yes, Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier's preference is to just rely on the defensive front to produce pressure on their own, but we've seen more blitzing with players like Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, and Taron Johnson to help ramp things up to get to the QB.
With Cincy down three starters, maybe they can dial it back a bit and see if the DL can raise havoc on their own.
Three's Company
The Bengals have arguably the best trio of WRs in all of the NFL.
Ja'Marr Chase is in the conversation as the best wide out in the game, racking up 87 receptions for 1,046 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in just 12 games. He's seen double-digit targets in 9 of those 12 games, including each of the last five he's played.
Tee Higgins is Chase's sidekick, 2nd on the team with 74 catches for 1,029 receiving yards and 7 TDs. His production more up and down, eclipsing 100+ receiving yards in four games while going under 50 in seven, including including four of his last five.
Then there's Tyler Boyd, the 2017 Bills hero with his improbable TD catch from Andy Dalton helping to beat the Ravens and end the Bills 17-year playoff drought. He finished the regular season with 58 receptions for 762 yards and 5 TDs. Strong overall numbers for a 3rd option, but he's had 60 or less receiving yards in 10 straight games.
Still, it's going to be an incredible challenge for the Bills secondary to deal with.
Tre'Davious White's seemed to have been stacking better performances as each week passes following his return from a torn ACL.
The CB2 spot has seen Kaiir Elam also continue to play his best ball week after week.
What will the rotation with Dane Jackson look like Sunday?
McDermott is not willing to say whether or not Elam will move ahead of Jackson and earn the start, but did praise the rookie for his continued work and improvement.
Then there's Taron Johnson in the slot, working whoever the Bengals decide to line up in that spot.
Jordan Poyer and Dean Marlowe will man the backend.
Cincinnati rolled down the field on their opening drive a few weeks ago, with a Boyd TD grab capping a five play, 75 yard drive.
We'll see what shows up this Sunday.
Turnover Josh
Josh Allen is usually the biggest reason the Bills win games. He's also been the reason they've lost, or come close to.
Allen led the NFL in the regular season with 27 total turnovers (14 INTS and 13 FUM). He had three more last weekend against the Dolphins, with two interceptions and a fumble lost and returned for a TD.
It could've been even worse, with the Bills QB putting the ball on the ground two more times, but recovered by the home team.
McDermott admitted this week it's been a prominent talking point with his team as a whole all season and if he knew exactly the way to make the turnovers stop, it wouldn't still be a conversation.
The phrase most heard has been Allen playing "smart, not conservative." That doesn't mean never take a shot or keep everything underneath. It's more about the timing.
If the first read or two are covered, check it down. If it's 1-on-1 down the field with no safety help, might be a good opportunity to strike big.
There's also the element of situational football, meaning sometimes it's better to just keep the sticks moving rather than roll the dice down field.
One thing was also made clear this week: Allen won't waver regardless of his last throw. And history has shown playoff Allen doesn't play like he did a week ago.
He had only one INT and five fumbles (just one lost) in six previous postseason games.
On the Line
BUF (-5.5)
O/U: 49
Josh Allen O/U Passing Yards: 277.5
Joe Burrow O/U Passing Yards: 279.5
Stefon Diggs O/U Receiving Yards: 79.5
Gabe Davis O/U Receiving Yards: 58.5
Ja'Marr Chase O/U Receiving Yards: 84.5
**DraftKings Sports Book**
Injury Report
BENGALS
OUT: T Jonah Williams (knee), G Alex Cappa (ankle)
DOUBTFUL: CB Tre Flowers (hamstring)
BILLS
QUESITONABLE: DT DaQuan Jones (calf), DT Jordan Phillips (shoulder)
Bills and Bengals set to kick things in the AFC Divisional Round Sunday afternoon at 3pm from Highmark Stadium.
**Make sure to tune into Spectrum News 1 right after the game for "Buffalo End Zone." Our LIVE postgame show brings instant team reaction from Highmark Stadium. Join host Kevin Carroll, our Bills beat reporter Jon Scott, and former Bills running back Fred Jackson as they give their thoughts and analysis. That's "Buffalo End Zone" once the game ends, only on Spectrum News 1.**