Top Takeaways From Cincinnati Bengals' 24-18 Win Over Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati has won four-straight games.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Nov 6, 2023 10:55 AM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals beat the Bills 24-18 on Sunday night to improve to 5-3 on the season. They've won four-straight games and would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today.

That's quite a rebound for a team that started the year 1-3. Here are our top takeaways from the primetime win:

Joe Cool

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks to the locker room at the conclusion of a Week 9 NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Joe Burrow has been great over the past two weeks. He's seeing the field well, throwing the ball with elite accuracy and moving in the pocket or running when he needs to make a play.

Burrow has completed 59-of-76 passes (77.6%) for 631 yards and five touchdowns in the past two games. He started the game 6-for-6 and led Cincinnati to back-to-back touchdowns on their first two possessions.

“Zac (Taylor) and our coaches come up with a great script early on to really tackle what we’re trying to see. We just always feel good coming into the game. So, we just have to keep that going," Burrow said. "It’s critical for us. It allows our defensive line to really pin their ears back in the pass game. When we jump out on teams, we always feel good about our chances."

Opportunistic Defense

Nov 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) reacts after intercepting the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports — Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals' defense continues to step up in big moments. First, Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted Josh Allen by baiting the Bills quarterback into throwing to Gabe Davis near the Buffalo sideline.

The second-year cornerback calmly intercepted the pass, giving the Bengals great field position and all of the momentum.

“I just gave him two little steps and saw the ‘out,’ and he threw the ‘out,'" Taylor-Britt said. "I thought, ‘Track it, and go get the ball.'"

Taylor-Britt has had an interception in three of the last four games.

"Expect it," he said confidently after the game.

For a second-straight week Germaine Pratt forced a key turnover in the red zone. After intercepting Brock Purdy last week, Pratt punched the ball out of Dalton Kincaid's grasp with the Bills looking to grab some momentum early in the fourth quarter.

Nick Scott recovered the fumble to preserve the Bengals' 21-10 lead.

"I gave up the inside. He (Kincaid) did an inside move on me, which I have to stay inside," Pratt said. "Then Nick (Nick Scott) came down and helped me. He made a big play. He went low, then I saw the ball. He’s most vulnerable falling so I punched the ball out. I know we needed the turnover, because they were trying to score.”

This Bengals' defense always seems to make a play when they need it most. Sunday was no different.

Cincinnati is +9 in turnover differential this season, which ranks first in the NFL.

Tee Time

Nov 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) reacts after making a catch against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports — Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Tee Higgins is back.

The 24-year-old finished with eight receptions for 110 yards on nine targets. It's his first 100-yard receiving game this season.

"Sh**, it's about time," Higgins said.

He hauled in multiple contested catches. He was strong at the catch point and looked healthy after suffering a fractured rib in Week 4 against Tennessee.

Higgins has looked like his normal self over the past two games, hauling in 13 receptions for 179 yards.

If the Bengals are going to continue to win games, they'll need Higgins to be the game changing wide receiver he was on Sunday night.

Tight Ends Step Up

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. (81) catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter during a Week 9 NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. — Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

What tight end problem?

The Bengals' tight ends combined for 10 receptions (13 targets) for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

Tanner Hudson led the room with four receptions for 45 yards. Drew Sample had three catches for 30 yards and one touchdown.

Irv Smith Jr. got the scoring started with a 7-yard score on the opening possession and finished with three catches for 26 yards.

"Those guys were awesome today. They really stepped up," Burrow said. "They all made big plays for us, so we’re going to need more of it.”

Don't be shocked if the Bengals lean on the quartet of Hudson, Smith, Sample and Mitch Wilcox moving forward. Rotating the tight ends seemed to work well on offense.

"We were all fresh, so that's always a part of it," Sample said. "All the tight ends got a game ball tonight. That's pretty cool."

Other Takeaways

Brad Robbins is getting more and more comfortable. All three of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.

Winning the field position battle is huge against elite quarterbacks and top teams. The Bengals drafted Robbins to help them in games like Sunday night. He started slow, but he's been consistent in recent weeks and has taken some major steps forward.

By getting out to an early lead and limiting what James Cook did with limited touches, the Bengals essentially took away the Bills' rushing attack. Their running backs only had eight total carries. Meanwhile, Joe Mixon and Trayveon Williams finished with 17 carries.

Catch NFL football on fuboTV throughout the 2023 season! Start your free trial here.

For more on the Bengals, watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Joe Burrow on Bengals Offensive Statement: 'This Is The Standard'

Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins Love Joe Burrow's Toughness: 'That's a Tough Motherf*****'

Watch: Zac Taylor Dishes Out Game Balls Following 31-17 Win Over San Francisco

Postgame Observations: Joe Burrow Leads Bengals Past 49ers 31-17

Watch: Bengals Take Dominant Lead Over 49ers With Joe Mixon Score

Winners and Losers From Cincinnati Bengals' 31-17 Win Over San Francisco 49ers

Look: Joe Burrow Wears Halloween Costume on Bengals Flight to San Francisco

Will Bengals Trade for Hayden Hurst Before Deadline?