Week 6 picks: Bengals at Bills

Publisher Nick St. Denis, associate editor Dan Begnoche and senior contributor Sean Donovan pick the Buffalo Bills' AFC bout with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Nick's take:

Thad Lewis isn't the solution, but for now, he's the Bills' only answer. The fourth-year quarterback will make his second career start against a pretty stout Bengals defense. Buffalo will need C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson to run wild for any chance in this one, and that won't come easy against a group that has given up just one rush of 20 yards or more.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Bills 13

Dan's take:

The pressure the Bengals bring on Lewis opens up opportunities downfield for the Bills' young receivers, but Lewis' lack of experience equals more bad decisions than good. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green finally get back into rhythm against a secondary that still trying to get healthy, and the return of safety Jairus Byrd isn't enough to stop a tight-end tandem that's tallied 417 yards on 39 receptions.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Bills 16

Sean's take:

After confounding Tom Brady a week ago, the Bengals are the first test for Lewis in a Bills uniform. Cincinnati's dominating defensive front will force Buffalo to look to the pass more than it would like and force an inexperienced quarterback into mistakes. The Bills lose handily.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Bills 10