The Buffalo Bills will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. Buffalo is in the middle of a tight race to the playoffs in the AFC, and at least against Cincinnati, the Bills will be without a key part of their special teams for another week.
Tyler Bass Continues to Miss Games for the Bills
The Bills still have not had kicker Tyler Bass on the field this season. He apparently picked up an injury sometime between then and the start of the year, which led to a stint on injured reserve.
Buffalo listed it as a left hip and groin issue, and he has not appeared in a game since. Bass has been eligible to return from injured reserve since Week five, but that move has not happened yet, leaving plenty of uncertainty around where things stand.
“No, no,” McDermott said on October 31 when asked if Bass is close to returning. “He’s doing a really good job though of being a true pro, working, getting himself ready to go. So we’re just [taking it] one day and really one week at a time.”
Matt Prater Has Filled in Perfectly for the Bills
The Bills, who are currently ranked fifth in PFSN’s Offense Impact (OFFi), have overcome a significant hurdle in the kicking game despite Bass not playing for the entire season so far. While other teams in the NFL have struggled with kickers, Buffalo found a reliable option in Matt Prater.
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Prater has made 17 of 19 field goals (89.5 percent) and 34 of 37 extra points since coming on board to start the 2025 season with the Bills. Moreover, his success so far raises questions about Bass’ job security as Buffalo’s kicker.
Tyler Bass’ Future in Buffalo Could Be in Doubt
Bass had his two best years in 2021 and 2022, but he has struggled a bit in the past two seasons. Now, after his injury-plagued 2025, it will be interesting to see if the Bills decide to hold on to Bass after this season.
Perhaps it might not be Prater, but the Bills’ front office could decide to re-evaluate their kicker position in the offseason. Bass has two years remaining on his four-year, $20.4 million contract, but with no guaranteed money attached, he stands out as an obvious candidate to get cut.
However, since Prater is 41 years old, the Bills could continue to stick with Bass, who will turn 29 in February of next year.
Buffalo Bills’ Insights for Week 14
Team:Â Buffalo trails New England by two and a half games in the AFC East. The Bills go on the road next week to take on the Patriots.
QB: Josh Allen had his lowest yards per completion (8.2) in a game this season against the Steelers in Week 13.
Offense: James Cook has six games with 110+ rushing yards, two more than any other player this season
Defense: The Bills registered an 81.8 DEFi in Week 13 against the Steelers, the team’s best since 86.5 DEFi against the Panthers in Week 8.
Fantasy: Josh Allen is great if you roster him, but if you’re counting on a pass catcher, good luck with that. Against the S
