The Cincinnati Bengals underline their strong form with a home win against AFC rivals Buffalo Bills. The quarterback duel also went clearly to Joe Burrow, while the Bills slip out of the playoff places

The Cincinnati Bengals have once again underlined their top form of recent weeks and defeated the Buffalo Bills in the Sunday Night Game of the NFL. The Bengals won 24-18 (21-7) at home in Paycor Stadium and celebrated their fourth win in a row. With a record of 5-3, the franchise from Ohio also overtook the Bills (5-4) in the AFC rankings.

Meanwhile, the inconsistency of the current season continues for the visitors. Since the convincing win in week four against the Miami Dolphins, every win for the Bills has been followed by a loss. What’s more, the Bills’ loss in Cincinnati dropped them to ninth in the AFC standings and, as of today, they would miss the playoffs.

In the top game of Week 9, it looked like an open-and-shut battle at the start. The first three drives of the game – two by the Bengals, one by the Bills – all resulted in touchdowns. Bills quarterback Josh Allen also conceded a taunting penalty after his run into the end zone to equalize the score.

After that, however, Buffalo’s offense faltered as it had so often in recent games. The Bills did not score any more points until half-time and Allen made an interception. The Bengals went one better with a touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Drew Sample shortly before half-time and thus ensured a preliminary decision.

In the second half, the Bengals defense prevented the Bills from catching up, although Burrow and Co. were unable to carry over the momentum from the first half.

After a field goal on both sides, Allen cut the deficit to six points with a touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs with three minutes remaining. However, the Bengals easily ran out the clock in their ensuing drive, made the necessary first downs and finally went down on their knees.

Burrow wins QB duel clearly

Burrow, who struggled with a calf injury at the start of the season and was well below his capabilities, put the next exclamation mark on the game, completing 31 of his 44 passes, throwing for 348 yards and two touchdowns. This underlined his return to form.

Allen again had light and shade in his game, with his statline showing 26 of 38 passes completed for 258 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also ran into the end zone himself on the aforementioned play in the first half.

The Bills continue their Monday Night Game in Week 10 with a home game against the Denver Broncos. The Bengals will face the Houston Texans again at home next Sunday.