Both the Bills’ opening and final drives of the contest ended in touchdowns. Together, the two drives accounted for 15 points, 160 yards, and 19 plays.Buffalo ran 37 plays, garnering 157 yards, 2 turnovers, and 3 scores on the seven drives that separated them.
With 21 points scored in the first three possessions, the game appeared to be a likely shootout between the two sides, but it ended up being a contest of skill and field position. Regretfully, the Bills were unable to perform each of those tasks well for extended periods of the game.
“Came out on the opening drive, had some success moving the ball, and obviously hit a little lull there and didn’t score really until late in the fourth,” quarterback Josh Allen said following the game
Buffalo failed to get a first down on its next three drives after the Bills tied the Bengals’ opening score on their first attempt. As Cincinnati led 14–7, Allen attempted to squeeze a sideline go ball to Gabe Davis by throwing an interception deep in his own territory.
Allen remarked, “Threw a bad ball, guy made a play.”
The Bengals were prevented from scoring from it by Buffalo’s defense, while the offense faltered on their subsequent possession.
Buffalo failed to get a first down on its next three drives after the Bills tied the Bengals’ opening score on their first attempt. As Cincinnati led 14–7, Allen attempted to squeeze a sideline go ball to Gabe Davis by throwing an interception deep in his own territory.
Allen remarked, “Threw a bad ball, guy made a play.”
The Bengals were prevented from scoring from it by Buffalo’s defense, while the offense faltered on their subsequent possession.
Near the end of the first half, down 21-7, the Bills appeared to have gotten into field goal range until an odd intentional grounding call was thrown against Josh Allen on a play that seemed to be the result of a misunderstanding between him and Davis. The Bills were unable to make a field goal after the penalty.
“I’ve never seen that call in my life,” Allen remarked. “Gabe has the option to go or sit down in that direction. They made that decision without pressuring me, and regrettably it prevented us from scoring any points there. I genuinely wouldn’t take any different action. He made the read to stop, so I’m expecting him to go for it. That’s the reality.”
Though the defense lost more of its starters in the second half as a result of
Ja’Marr Chase was limited to just 9 receiving yards in the first three quarters and 41 overall by the Bills defense, who kept the top receiver quiet for the majority of the evening. Thanks to Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, and Dane Jackson of the Bills, who alternated in covering Chase all night long.The defense was especially strengthened by Jackson, who intercepted three passes, two of which were aimed at Chase. In the second half, Jackson assisted in breaking up a deep pass that would have been good for a touchdown if Chase hadn’t made the leaping grab.
The Bengals’ best pass catcher was kept quiet by Buffalo, but Cincinnati’s backup receiving options produced the crucial plays.
You now know who Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample, and Irv Smith are, if you weren’t aware of them before Sunday night’s game. At crucial times, the Cincinnati offense was bolstered by the trio of tight ends for the Bengals.
Joe Burrow’s two touchdown throws were caught by Sample and Smith, while Hudson, 28, finished with the second-most receiving yards in his four-year career after recording a career-high four catches. Prior to this game, Sample had only three catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. With three receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown, he doubled that total.
