Cincinnati Bengals defeat Buffalo 24-18 to move to 5-3

Publish date: 2024-04-18

The Bills and Bengals close out the day on Sunday Night Football. Follow along with The Athletic's NFL experts and insiders.

Joe Buscaglia, Tim Graham, Paul Dehner Jr. and The Athletic NFL staff

November 6, 2023 at 7:36 AM ESTCincinnati Bengals defeat Buffalo 24-18 to move to 5-3

Dylan Buell / Getty Images

Bengals looking dangerous after another win over Bills

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals took the Sunday Night Football stage and dispensed of a talented Buffalo Bills team, leading by two scores the majority of the night.

They scored on the opening two drives for the fourth consecutive game. The defense created two more turnovers, yet another in the red zone by Germaine Pratt. The offense finished the game in the victory formation, a helpless Josh Allen left to contemplate why this opponent has proven a nightmarish matchup.

The Bengals have won four in a row. They are 6-0 at home in primetime under coach Zac Taylor. Joe Burrow is 5-1 against Allen and Patrick Mahomes and Sunday lost a bloody fingernail and merely retorted, “that’s football, baby.”

Welcome to the new template of Bengals football.

Read more here.

GO FURTHER

Matter-of-fact nature of Cincinnati Bengals’ latest statement is what makes them so dangerous

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Is it time to talk about Ken Dorsey's job?

As far as the Buffalo Bills are concerned over the last two years, there's just something about the Cincinnati Bengals they can't quite figure out.

Now, in three outings over the last two years, the difficulty level for the Bills has remained high as the Bengals have gone on to have two relatively smooth victories. The Bills made it interesting with a late scoring drive, but ultimately fell 24-18 in Cincinnati.

The Bills are now 5-4 on the season, ninth in the AFC playoff race before the Monday night game, with a boatload of defensive injuries and perhaps even more questions on offense. And a brutal schedule on the horizon, too.

Where do the Bills try to find answers? They may have given a clue after the game.

GO FURTHER

Is it time to talk about Ken Dorsey’s job? Bills have major questions after loss to Bengals

Damar Hamlin revisits Paycor Stadium field

Damar Hamlin has been spending a lot of time walking on the Paycor Stadium field well after the game ended. He’s been shooting video, got a visit from a couple first responders and seemed to get emotional walking the same area where he needed to be revived last year.

Bills injury update

Bills HC Sean McDermott said CB Christian Benford tweaked his hamstring. Benford did not play in the second half

FINAL: Bengals 24, Bills 18

Cincinnati's fast start carries the day. Again.

Pulling off a three-game sweep of Seattle, SF, and Buffalo in a convincing fashion establishes this team as all they were hyped to be.

Their eyes on are that trip to Baltimore in 10 days. Houston next.

Just dial Diggs

Josh Allen hits Stefon Diggs for a touchdown and two-point conversion. It gives Buffalo a shot to win but the Bills need a stop.

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Bengals 24, Bills 18

Stefon Diggs ends up on DJ Turner one-on-one and beats the rookie for a TD.

The Bengals made the Bills use the clock, but a game that felt in control is down to six points.

Not over yet. Bengals offense will have chance to finish this off with 3:32 left.

An update on Micah Hyde

Micah Hyde (stinger) is questionable to return.

Something to monitor for Buffalo

Bills safety Micah Hyde is headed to the medical tent.

Bengals consistently produce turnovers

I don't know how to explain the #Bengals in the red zone anymore.

Another turnover created -- Germaine Pratt again.

They don't just get stops they consistently produce turnovers or allow zero points.

Bengals force another turnover

I don't know how to explain the Bengals in the red zone anymore.

Another turnover created -- Germaine Pratt again.

They don't just get stops they consistently produce turnovers or allow zero points.

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Trey Hendrickson ends the Bills' drive

On third down Lou Anarumo leaves Logan Wilson as a spy and it pays off as Josh Allen has to hesitate flushing out of the pocket. Result: Hendrickson tracks him down from behind. Punt.

Bengals defense holds Buffalo to a FG

The Bengals' defense plays to its reputation. Bills use tempo to drive into the red zone, Cincinnati holds to an FG. On brand.

Bengals 21, Bills 10.

Bad news for the Bills

Bills starting LB Terrel Bernard has been declared out for the rest of the game

Joe Burrow is rolling

Following his 22-yard touchdown pass to Drew Sample, Joe Burrow has now thrown for multiple touchdowns in four straight games and five games this season overall.

Despite his slow start to the year, Burrow’s five multi-pass TD games are tied for fourth most in the NFL.

The Bills might have more of an uphill climb than they realize

The Bengals have the best winning percentage in the NFL since 2021 when leading at halftime, going 24-2 in that situation. Paul Dehner Jr. wrote this past week about how Cincinnati excels at playing from ahead and has been as good as it gets at closing out wins.

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Bills injury update

Bills LB Terrel Bernard is walking to the locker room with athletic trainers. He is being evaluated for a head injury.

Yikes, that's gotta hurt

NBC with a good shot of Burrow's pointer finger on this throwing hand. Looks like the nail got ripped off.

That cannot be comfortable.

Josh Allen still struggling with turnovers

Two plays after the Bills forced a Bengals punt, Buffalo QB Josh Allen throws his eighth interception of the season.

Allen’s 11 total turnovers this season (8 INT, 3 fumbles) are tied for second most in the NFL.

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