CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Bengals continued their remarkable resurgence with a triumphant performance on Sunday Night Football, defeating the Buffalo Bills with a final score of 24-18. Joe Burrow and the Bengals have emulated their previous season’s pattern, overcoming a sluggish start to now boast four consecutive wins after a 1-3 beginning.
Just like last season, the Bengals have demonstrated their ability to overcome early setbacks. In the 2022 season, they initiated their campaign with a 2-3 record but concluded with an impressive 12-4 standing.
The Buffalo Bills, however, experienced a setback, dropping to a 5-4 record.
Buffalo did not give up without a fight, scoring with a mere 3:32 left on the clock through a 17-yard pass from Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs. The same dynamic duo successfully converted the ensuing 2-point attempt, keeping their team’s hopes alive. Regrettably for the Bills, they were never granted possession of the ball again.
In the game’s pivotal moments, Joe Mixon executed an agile sidestep maneuver to evade Von Miller on third-and-three, gaining a crucial 5-yard advance with just two minutes remaining. This enabled the Bengals to see out the game in the victory formation, executing a composed seven-play, 41-yard drive that exhausted the remaining 3 minutes and 32 seconds on the clock.
Despite an early injury that cost him his fingernail on the right index finger, Joe Burrow proved his resilience by completing 31 out of 44 passes, accumulating 348 yards, and contributing two touchdowns. Wide receiver Tee Higgins made a significant impact, securing eight receptions for 110 yards. Ja’Mar Chase added four receptions for 41 yards, enduring a back injury upon a hard landing but continuing to participate in the game.
Joe Mixon’s versatile performance included 37 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, along with five receptions that accumulated 31 receiving yards.
The Bengals showcased their dominance by outgaining the Bills, accumulating 397 yards compared to Buffalo’s 317. Furthermore, Cincinnati maintained a favorable turnover ratio, concluding the game with a plus-2 margin.
On the opposing side, Josh Allen went 26-of-38, amassing 258 yards, and delivering a touchdown pass along with one interception. Stefon Diggs led the receiving efforts with six catches for 86 yards, while Dalton Kincaid accumulated ten receptions for 81 yards but encountered a setback when he fumbled the ball at the Cincinnati 22 with 13:18 remaining.
Notably, Bills safety Damar Hamlin, returning to Cincinnati for the first time since experiencing a cardiac arrest on the field in January, was excluded from the game and observed the proceedings from the bench.
The Bengals’ remarkable win not only secured their fourth consecutive victory but also upheld their reputation as a formidable force in the NFL.
