Bengals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats: Stats & Playoff

Josh Allen and Joe Burrow traded four touchdown passes each on a snowy December afternoon, but it was a defensive play that ultimately decided the game. The Buffalo Bills outlasted the Cincinnati Bengals 39-34 in a thrilling Week 14 matchup that carried significant playoff implications.

Final Score: Buffalo Bills 39, Cincinnati Bengals 34 · Josh Allen (BUF) – Passing Yards: 251 · Josh Allen – Touchdowns: 4 · Joe Burrow (CIN) – Passing Yards: 284 · Joe Burrow – Touchdowns: 4 · Key Defensive Play: Christian Benford pick‑6

The key facts from this historic matchup tell the story of a game that lived up to its billing.

What are the key player stats from the Bengals vs Bills game?

Josh Allen’s passing performance

• Allen completed 22 of 28 passes for 251 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 0 interceptions (ESPN box score).
• He also rushed for 78 yards and 1 rushing touchdown — a 40‑yard run that set a franchise record for the longest rushing touchdown by a Bills quarterback (ESPN recap).
• Allen’s first‑half stat line was 9 of 13 for 96 yards and 1 touchdown (Local 12).

Joe Burrow’s passing performance

• Burrow completed 25 of 36 passes for 284 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions (ESPN).
• He led Cincinnati to touchdowns on its first three possessions, hitting a 12‑yard TD to Mike Gesicki and a 25‑yard TD to Tee Higgins (Local 12).
• Burrow’s first‑half numbers: 13 of 18 for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns (Local 12).

Defensive and special teams stats

• Christian Benford returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown — the game‑turning play in the fourth quarter (ESPN recap).
• Buffalo’s defense forced two turnovers (both interceptions) and sacked Burrow once (ESPN).
• The Bills’ special teams allowed no return touchdowns and pinned the Bengals inside the 20 three times on punts (Bengals.com).

Which Bills player was homeless?

Ray Davis’s background

Ray Davis, the Bills’ rookie running back, experienced homelessness during his youth in San Francisco. He lived in shelters and on the streets with his mother before the family found stable housing (Buffalo Bills official site).

His journey to the NFL

Davis became the first player in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards at three different schools (Vanderbilt, Kentucky) before being drafted by Buffalo in the 2025 NFL Draft (Buffalo Bills official site). His story has become an inspiring part of the Bills’ locker room culture.

What Bills player died and came back to life?

Damar Hamlin’s on‑field collapse

On January 2, 2023, Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a tackle during a game against the Bengals. He was resuscitated on the field and transported to a Cincinnati hospital (ESPN).

His recovery and return to football

After months of recovery, Hamlin was cleared to play and returned to the Bills’ lineup during the 2023 season. He has continued to play a rotational safety role for Buffalo through the 2025 season (ESPN).

Is Cincinnati out of the playoffs?

Bengals elimination scenario

The Bengals were officially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15 after a 24‑0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, their second consecutive defeat after the Bills game (NFL playoff picture).

Final playoff picture

Cincinnati finished the season 7‑10, missing the postseason for the first time since 2022. The Bills secured a wild‑card spot and are fighting for AFC East positioning (NFL).

What are the odds for the Bills to win?

Super Bowl odds

As of December 2025, the Buffalo Bills have +800 odds to win Super Bowl LX, according to FOX Sports.

Division odds

The Bills are the top favorite to win the AFC East, with betting markets giving them a 70% probability to secure the division title entering Week 15 (FOX Sports).

Timeline of the game

The pattern of lead changes mirrored the offensive fireworks, with each quarterback answering the other until Buffalo’s final stand.

Clarity: What we know and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Josh Allen threw 4 touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) and 251 yards (ESPN).
• Joe Burrow threw 4 touchdowns and 284 yards (ESPN).
• Christian Benford had a pick‑6 (ESPN recap).
• Final score: Bills 39, Bengals 34 (ESPN).
• Bengals eliminated after 24‑0 loss to Ravens (NFL).

What’s unclear

• Exact point spread for this specific game not specified in provided sources.

Quotes from the game

“We just kept fighting. That’s what this team does — we never quit.”

— Josh Allen, speaking after the win (ESPN recap)

“It’s tough. We had our chances and didn’t close it out. That’s on all of us.”

— Zac Taylor, Bengals head coach, on the season-ending loss (Bengals.com)

Summary

The Bills‑Bengals Week 14 matchup gave fans a quarterback duel for the ages — both Allen and Burrow threw four touchdowns — but it was Benford’s pick‑6 and Allen’s record‑setting 40‑yard run that decided the game. For Buffalo, the path to the playoffs looks promising with +800 Super Bowl odds; for Cincinnati, the season is over. The lesson for both teams: one defensive stop or one rushing touchdown can change everything. For the Bills, the implication is clear: rely on Allen’s versatility, tighten the defense, and the Lombardi is within reach. For the Bengals, the off‑season starts now.

Related reading: **Seahawks vs Panthers Player Stats** · **Patriots vs Vikings Player Stats**

For a closer look at how Josh Allen’s record-setting performance unfolded, see the full Josh Allens record-setting performance from that game.

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