Bills news: What stood out from Buffalo’s win vs. Cincinnati Bengals?

Observations, analysis, report cards and more from the Buffalo Bills’ 39-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

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What is the story about?

The Buffalo Bills looked dead in the water, trailing Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 24-18 halfway through the fourth quarter on a snowy Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium. The Bills seemed poised to suffer another demoralizing loss, seal their fate as runners-up in the AFC East and potentially fall out of the playoff picture with four weeks remaining in the regular season.

But then Josh Allen scampered 40 yards through the snow for a pivotal touchdown, Christian Benford picked off Burrow

and scored the go-ahead TD and A.J. Epenesa corralled a tipped pass for another INT as the Bills seized momentum and rallied for an improbable 39-34 victory.

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with observations and analysis from terrific win over Cincinnati.

Thoughts on Bills win over Bengals

Joe Burrow and the Bengals looked unstoppable for three quarters on Sunday. The Bills defense couldn’t get off the field on third down all day, allowing the Bengals to convert their first six third-down attempts while finishing 10-of-12 on third downs. When Cincinnati scored another TD to take a 28-18 lead, the Bills were in serious trouble. Until Superman Josh Allen and a resilient defense stepped up to deliver a thrilling win.

Following Allen’s 40-yard TD run, Benford anticipated Burrow’s pass, snagged the pass out of the air and ran it back for a momentum-swinging pick-six. On the very next pass attempt, Jordan Phillips got his hands on a Burrow pass and Epenesa intercepted it, setting the stage for a three-yard TD toss to Jackson Hawes and a 39-28 Bills lead. Cincinnati made it interesting, with Burrow connecting with Tee Higgins for a touchdown that pulled the Bengals within 39-34, but Allen sealed the improbable win by scrambling 17 yards on a third-and-15 to finish off Cincinnati.

Linked below: For the second straight week, Benford changed the tone of the game by scoring a touchdown, becoming the first player in franchise history to score a touchdown in consecutive games. Also how Josh Allen played brilliant, turnover-free football and showed how he is capable of carrying the team on his back; how Dawson Knox and Buffalo’s tight ends played a critical role in sparking the offense; how a resilient Bills team refused to let the Bengals beat them at home and scored 21 points in 4:30 of the fourth quarter; how head coach Sean McDermott’s aggressive play-calling on fourth down resulted in a pair of TDs and another that led to a TD; how Buffalo’s defense shook off a poor first three quarters and delivered key plays in the clutch; and more!

Report cards and positional grades

Catch up on report cards to see what players are trending up and whose stock is on the decline following Buffalo’s win over the Bengals.

Bills react to latest win

Hear from head coach Sean McDermott, quarterback Josh Allen, defensive end A.J. Epenesa, left tackle Dion Dawkins and more following Buffalo’s Week 14 home triumph.