CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals delivered a big performance to a national TV audience, defeating the Buffalo Bills 24-18 on Sunday night in a rematch of a divisional playoff game from last season.
The Bengals have now won four in a row and put themselves back in the conversation of AFC playoff contenders.
Burrow finished the night 31-of-44 for a season-high 348 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins caught eight balls for a season-high 110 yards and the defense forced two key turnovers to hold off the Bills.
“We went out and proved to the world we’re back and we’re here,” said Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins.
Cincinnati took their opening possession and drove right down the field, as Burrow all six of his attempts for 65 yards in methodical fashion. His final completion was a 7-yard pass to tight end Irv Smith Jr., for his first touchdown catch of the season.
Cincinnati's other tight end Drew Sample caught a screen pass from Burrow and took it 22-yards for a score in the second quarter to help give the Bengals a commanding 21-7 lead at halftime.
Meanwhile, the Bengals defense kept Josh Allen and the Bills (5-4) in check all night, forcing them to play from behind throughout.
Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted a deep throw by Allen to shut down a drive in the second quarter. Then in the third quarter, Nick Scott upended Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid and recovered the fumble on Cincinnati's 13-yard line to halt another drive.
The Bengals would cash in the turnover for points, as their ensuing drive ate up 5:20 and led to a 20-yard field goal by Evan McPherson extended Cincinnati's lead to 24-10.
Buffalo would respond on their next possession, as Allen threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs and the two connected on a 2-point conversion pass to cut the lead to 24-18 with 3:32 remaining.
But the Bengals converted two first downs and ran out the clock to seal it.
Allen had a respectable night, going 26 for 38 and 258 yards, but also threw another interception to make it five-straight games with a pick. Diggs had six catches for 86 yards.
Cincinnati (5-3) is now locked in a three-way tie with Cleveland and Pittsburgh, as Baltimore sits atop the AFC North. The Bengals still have two games against the Steelers twice and rematches with the Browns and Ravens remaining on the schedule.
The Bengals will host the Houston Texans (4-4) next Sunday.
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