The Bengals entered week 14 off an upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This win revived a little bit of playoff hope, and the team was looking to ride the momentum into their matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The offence had another strong day, but in a story that has become all too familiar, mistakes and defensive implosion proved to be costly.
To start the game, the Bengals went on a long 8+ minute drive, methodically moving down the field. In the snow, they were taking advantage of softer coverage and the slippery conditions. Tee Higgins was heavily involved, making 3 catches, including an early 3rd down conversion. But it was Chase Brown who capped off the drive with a 5 yard TD run.
7-0 Bengals.
After the Bengals held Buffalo to a field goal, they went back on offence, showing more of what they did in the first drive. But on this one, Ja’Marr Chase and Mike Gesicki were both able to get involved in the passing game. Higgins ultimately finished the drive off, catching a 21 yard tight window pass from Joe Burrow in the back of the end zone.
14-3 Bengals.
Buffalo’s high powered offence was able to answer back this time. A 17 yard completion from Allen to Davis on 4th & 4 proved to be a back breaker. After a handful of modest pickups, it was another 4th & 4 situation that the Bengals were unable to capitalize on. Allen scrambled and found Shakir for an 11 yard TD. A roughing the passer call on the Bengals allowed the Bills to push the ball up to the 1 yard line and go for 2. They converted.
14-11 Bengals.
On the next Cincinnati drive, Gesicki caught a 13 yard pass to move the chains on 3rd & 7. Then, a 33 yard pass interference call put the Bengals deep in Buffalo territory. This time it was Burrow who scrambled, and he found Chase Brown from 10 yards out. He was initially ruled down at the 1, but after review, was given the TD. Following this, the Bengals defence was finally able to get a 4th down stop, and we did not see any more scoring in the 1st half.
21-11 Bengals at the half.
The 3rd quarter saw the Bills cut into the lead through a 5 yard TD reception by Kincaid. They almost got another, but a goal line fumble by Cooks kept the Cincinnati lead intact.
21-18 Bengals.
Midway through the 4th quarter, the Bengals again went to work. 3rd down receptions by Chase and Higgins proved to be important, as they helped set up a 12 yard TD reception by Mike Gesicki. The 10 point lead was restored.
28-18 Bengals.
Despite having multiple two score leads, disaster soon struck. Josh Allen scrambled and saw acres of grass (or snow) in front of him. Nobody was able to catch him, and he went in for a 40 yard TD. Then, with the Bengals driving inside Buffalo territory, Burrow’s attempted screen pass to Chase did not have enough height on it. Benford picked it off and returned it 63 yards for a TD.
Suddenly, the Bills led 32-28.
It went from bad to worse for the Bengals. The next play was another Burrow interception, this time off a tipped ball at the line. This resulted in a TD from Allen to Hawes on, you guessed it, another 4th down conversion for the Bills. In the blink of an eye, a double digit lead turned into a double digit deficit.
39-28 Bills.
With time running out, the Bengals responded quickly to get back into the game. A 37 yard completion to Gesicki got the drive going. Before the 2 minute warning, Burrow found Higgins for a 25 yard TD, giving them a chance to get the ball back with a stop. But because their 2 point attempt was unsuccessful, they needed another TD.
39-34 Bills.
Needing a stop, an 8 yard sack by Geno Stone put the Bengals in a good position to get the ball back. But on 3rd & 15, they ended up playing in man coverage, without a spy on the QB. Allen was pressured, and scrambled up the middle. Nobody was near him for a good 10 yards, and he easily avoided one defender to cross the 1st down marker, sealing the victory for Buffalo.
39-34 Bills, final.
Dropping to 4-9, it was another to pile onto a long list of gutting losses for the Bengals this season. They had multiple two score leads, including one midway through the 4th quarter. However, Burrow’s pick 6 proved to be costly, while the defence was completely unable to cover Buffalo’s TE’s.
They are not mathematically eliminated, but in the final 4 weeks of the season, the Bengals would have to win out, while seeing the Ravens go 2-2 and the Steelers go 1-3 over that span. It is a pretty big longshot, to say the least. But in any event, the Bengals will be back in action next week, as the host the Baltimore Ravens.
