Bengals vs. Bills 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

The Cincinnati Bengals solidified their status as AFC front-runners last week when a monumental win over the Seattle Seahawks improved their record to 5-0. They represent a significant challenge for the undermanned Buffalo Bills in an early Week 6 tilt.

In the time since Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and the current Bengals nucleus arrived in Cincinnati, the team developed a reputation for losing in its biggest games. While more work needs to be done before the Bengals fully shake that association, they took a major step in Week 5 by taking down the defending NFC champions in come-from-behind fashion. Trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter, Dalton connected with rising star tight end Tyler Eifert for a touchdown and soon after ran in a score of his own. In the closing seconds of regulation, kicker Mike Nugent knocked in the tying field goal to send the game into overtime. Over 11 minutes of football later, the Bengals walked off the field with a 27-24 victory.

Dalton and his weapons aren't the only piece of the offense deserving of praise. The Cincinnati offensive line has established itself as perhaps the premier pass-blocking unit in the NFL today. The Bengals have kept pass rushers off of their quarterback nearly all of the season. In turn, Dalton has completed 67.5 percent of his passes, averaging 9.5 yards per pass attempt and posted an 11:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, all career highs. His passer rating of 115.6 trails only Tom Brady (121.5) and Aaron Rodgers (117.4).

Meanwhile, the quarterback play for Buffalo may experience a significant drop-off on Sunday. Tyrod Taylor, the team's starter each of the first five weeks, suffered a serious injury last week against the Tennessee Titans and is expected to miss multiple weeks while recovering. Taylor, who completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards, nine touchdowns and four picks thus far in 2015, has become a stabilizing force in his first year with the Bills. Without him, the team must turn to 2013 first-round pick EJ Manuel, who has yet to start a game this season. The third-year quarterback has a 6-8 record as a starter.

If a path to victory exists for the Bills this Sunday, it goes through their defense. The team's front four of Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes ranks among the league's best. Additionally, the secondary has improved this year with the addition of second-round pick Ronald Darby. The Bengals possess plenty of offensive firepower, but if Buffalo can break through and generate pressure on Dalton, their strengths could be minimized. At the least, the Bills have the chance to keep the game close and hope for a timely takeaway from one of their opportunistic defensive players.

Buffalo badly needs this game to remain competitive in the AFC East. The New England Patriots currently sport an undefeated record, and the New York Jets have the early advantage via their 3-1 record. As for the Bengals, a loss in Buffalo could short-circuit the momentum they have built over the past five weeks. By no means would it be a crucial blow, but in the fight for respectability, a loss to the Bills could set the team back weeks.