Bills Rally Past Bengals 39-34 Behind Allen’s Four Touchdowns/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Buffalo Bills rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 39-34, fueled by Josh Allen’s four total touchdowns and Christian Benford’s decisive pick-six. Buffalo scored three touchdowns in just over four minutes to turn the game around. The win keeps the Bills in the AFC playoff race while sinking Cincinnati’s postseason hopes.
Bills Bengals Game Quick Looks
- Josh Allen: 251 yards, 3 TDs passing, 1 rushing TD
- Christian Benford: 63-yard pick-six puts Bills ahead late
- Bills score 3 TDs in 4:20 to erase 10-point deficit
- Cincinnati falls to 4-9playoff hopes fading fast
- Joe Burrow: 284 yards, 4 TDs, 2 costly interceptions
- Allen sets new team record with 40-yard rushing TD
- Tee Higgins hauls in 2 touchdown receptions
- Bills improve to 9-4win second straight
- Benford scores defensive TD in back-to-back games
- Bengals now guaranteed worst season since 2020
Deep Look: Bills Storm Back to Beat Bengals in 39-34 Thriller
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Christian Benford wasn’t supposed to leave his feet, but when instinct took over, it helped the Buffalo Bills flip the script on a snowy afternoon and keep their playoff push alive.
Benford’s 63-yard interception return for a touchdown with just over five minutes remaining capped a stunning turnaround as the Buffalo Bills erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 39-34 on Sunday.
“I actually didn’t do my technique right,” Benford admitted. “But I felt something — I jumped, caught it, and the rest was history.”
It was the highlight of a ferocious stretch in which Buffalo scored three touchdowns in just 4 minutes and 20 secondsstunning a Bengals team that appeared in control for much of the game. The pick-six ignited the Bills sideline and sent the Highmark Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
While Benford made the game’s decisive defensive play, it was Josh Allen who orchestrated the offensive comeback. The Bills quarterback threw for three touchdowns, ran for anotherand finished with 251 yards on 22-of-28 passing. Two of his touchdown passes came on fourth downwhile his 40-yard rushing score in the third quarter broke his own franchise record for longest touchdown run by a quarterback.
Allen capped the performance with a 17-yard scramble on third-and-15 in the final minutes to allow Buffalo to kneel out the clock and seal the win.
“It’s fun to see your teammate make big plays,” Allen said of Benford. “He deserves that moment.”
Turning Point: Benford and Epenesa Seize Momentum
The Bengals, leading 28-18 at the start of the fourth quarter, looked to continue their dominance behind quarterback Joe Burrow, who had returned last week from a toe injury. But after cutting the lead to 28-25, Allen encouraged the defense to deliver.
“Josh said we needed one,” linebacker Shaq Thompson said. “When 17 says that, we lock in.”
Benford answered the call with his pick-six, jumping a lofted pass intended for Ja’Marr Chase and racing untouched into the end zone. On the next Bengals possession, Jordan Phillips tipped Burrow’s pass and AJ Ebenezer came down with another interception, setting up Allen’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Hawes.
What had been a sluggish and mistake-prone afternoon for Buffalo quickly flipped into a high-energy comeback.
Burrow’s Costly Mistakes
Burrow, who had not thrown an interception in any of his previous three starts this season, was picked off on back-to-back drivesboth of which led to Buffalo scores. Despite finishing with 284 yards and four touchdownsBurrow took responsibility for the loss.
“Could’ve thrown it higher,” Burrow said of Benford’s interception. “That’s on me.”
The loss dropped Cincinnati to 4-9, officially guaranteeing the franchise’s worst season since 2020. Their only remaining playoff hope, winning the AFC Northtook a severe blow with this defeat, as they now trail division leader Pittsburgh by three games.
Early Bengals Control, Late Bills Surge
The Bengals opened the game strong, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and converting 7-of-8 third downs during that stretch. Touchdown grabs by Tee Higgins and tight end Mike Gesickialong with a 5-yard rushing TD by Chase Brownhelped Cincinnati build an early lead.
Higgins, who was evaluated twice for a concussion but returned both times, made a highlight-reel one-handed catch for his second touchdown with just over two minutes left, bringing the Bengals within five.
Buffalo’s offense had its own miscues. Running back James Cook fumbled at the 1-yard line, and Ty Johnson went down untouched inside the red zone, forcing the Bills to settle for a field goal. Despite those missed opportunities, the Bills kept fighting.
Benford’s pick-six marked the second straight week the cornerback scored a defensive touchdown, having returned a fumble 17 yards in last week’s win over Pittsburgh. He became the first Bills player to score defensive touchdowns in consecutive games.
Allen also reached a new milestone, becoming the first NFL player with three seasons of 20+ passing touchdowns and 10+ rushing touchdowns.
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