In a matchup of two teams in desperate need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the 4-5 Buffalo Bills took on the 3-5-1 Cincinnati Bengals. This a game that saw two struggling teams come into play as the Bills have lost three straight while the Bengals have lost and or tied four of their last five. Both teams came in ranking in the middle of the league in most major offensive and defensive categories, most notably the Bills being top ten in the league in point per game while the Bengals have been top ten in yards per game.
A game that in the first half that was clouded by injuries and miscues for both sides, as no team was able to take advantage of any miscues in a big way. On the first possession of the game and their second play from scrimmage the Bengals were dealt a big blow as pro-bowl wide receiver A.J. Green was carted off the field with an injury to his hamstring and would not return. It became quickly apparent in this first half just how big of a blow this was as the Bills were able to consistently surround the line of scrimmage without a consistent deep threat to worry about. Following a quick three and out the Bills took over for their first score of the game marching down the field on an eight play 75-yard drive to open the scoring. LeSean McCoy marched into the end zone untouched for his seventh touchdown run of the year on a seven-yard score.
Making adjustments on the fly the Bengals were able to answer back with a strong showing of their own. A drive taking over six minutes and going over 70 yards the Bengals bounced back with a score on an Andy Dalton 2-yard touchdown run was confirmed after further review. With the score Dalton has the second most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback since 2011 with 17, trailing only Cam Newton. Longtime Cincinnati kicker Mike Nugnet would miss the extra point, the first of two point afters he would go on to miss on the day. Nugnet, also missed the game-winning kick in London two weeks ago which resulted in a tie.
The Bengals would continue to fail to execute as their next possession resulted in an interception by Bills cornerback Stephen Gilmore. Gilmore who has struggled with consistency as of late and has been under fire from fans and questions about his ability recorded two interceptions in the first half alone, returning the first one to inside the 5-yard line and setting up a score. Failing to execute the Bills were forced to settle for a Dan Carpenter field goal to put them up 10-6.
As good as his highs were in the first half, Gilmore also suffered his lows, allowing Tyler Boyd to score his first touchdown of his career on a well-placed pass by Dalton that saw Gilmore out of position. Following an interception of their own by Dre Kirkpatrick at the end of the second quarter the Bengals would head into the half up 12-10 over the Bills. Notably, the Bills Robert Woods suffered an ankle injury that would keep him out the rest of the game as well as LeSean McCoy suffering an arm injury in the final moments of the second quarter.
The second half was all Bills, at least defensively were able to find their form and some consistency. The Bills came out of the half with a strong first drive going for 32-yards on eight plays that ended in a field goal to put the Bills on top 13-12. From there, it was no looking back as the Bengals offense was able to get nothing going. The Bills tacked on another score with their longest drive of the day as at over 80 yards in eight minutes to give them all the points they would need and make Carpenter three for three on the day. The Bengals would be held scoreless in the second half having picked up no real momentum.
Andy Dalton finished with 207 yards passing with two interceptions and one rushing touchdown. A surprise performer for the Bills was former Bengal receiver Brandon Tate who led the way for the Bills with two receptions for 48-yards and the biggest play of the day a 34-yard reception. For the Bills defensively the return of Marcell Dareus paid dividends as he picked up half a sack and made his prescience known early. Stephen Gilmore had a big game for himself rebounding with six tackles, three passes deflected, and two interceptions.
Following the victory, the Bills move to 5-5 and will go on to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bengals fall to 3-6-1 on the season and will travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
