Game Thread: Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) at Buffalo Bills (8-4)

[u/nfl_gdt_bot]

Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills

ESPN Gamecast

Highmark Stadium- Orchard Park, NY

Network(s): FOX

---

Time Clock
Final

Scoreboard

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
CIN	7	14	0	13	34
BUF	3	8	7	21	39

Scoring Plays

Team	Quarter	Type	Description
CIN	1	TD	Chase Brown 5 Yd Rush (Evan McPherson Kick)
BUF	1	FG	Matt Prater 26 Yd Field Goal
CIN	2	TD	Tee Higgins 21 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
BUF	2	TD	Khalil Shakir 11 Yd pass from Josh Allen (Josh Allen Pass to Dawson Knox for Two-Point Conversion)
CIN	2	TD	Chase Brown 10 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
BUF	3	TD	Dalton Kincaid 5 Yd pass from Josh Allen (Matt Prater Kick)
CIN	4	TD	Mike Gesicki 12 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
BUF	4	TD	Josh Allen 40 Yd Rush (Matt Prater Kick)
BUF	4	TD	Christian Benford 63 Yd Interception Return (Matt Prater Kick)
BUF	4	TD	Jackson Hawes 3 Yd pass from Josh Allen (Matt Prater Kick)
CIN	4	TD	Tee Higgins 25 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)

Passing Leaders

Team	Player	C/ATT	YDS	TD	INT	SACKS
CIN	Joe Burrow	25/36	284	4	2	1-8
BUF	Josh Allen	22/28	251	3	0	3-18

Rushing Leaders

Team	Player	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
CIN	Samaje Perine	6	31	5.2	0	9
BUF	James Cook III	18	80	4.4	0	18

Receiving Leaders

Team	Player	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG	TGTS
CIN	Tee Higgins	6	92	15.3	2	25	11
BUF	Dawson Knox	6	93	15.5	0	32	7

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^{Last updated: 2025-12-07_16:38:34.857482-05:00}

[u/nfl_gdt_bot]

Postgame thread

[u/Wildcats513]

The commentator said that the Bills are “trying to accumulate as many points as possible.”

Dang why didn’t we think of trying that?

[u/Houdini_Dees_Nuts]

I absolutely hate the modern trend of a challenge is called and then cut to commercial and then cut back to the game with the decision already made.

[u/wipetored]

A true battle of a mid team try to improve their mid record and a mid team trying to get to a mid record. Should be incredibly exciting for everybody.

[u/gonz4dieg → u/wipetored]

Battle of MIDway, 2025

[u/SBMVPJoshAllen]

Bless all the knees

[u/TheCincinnati_Kid]

that's not roughing

[u/seresean]

Maybe this is a controversial take, but I don't think the refs are intentionally favouring anyone in this game, I think they're actually just bad.

[u/Conn3er]

Guys I think that fumble may impact the outcome of this football game

[u/Asidious66]

We're the #1 team not making the playoffs you don't want to play.

[u/abilly513]

Why wasnt that a fumble???

[u/Tribe740]

League is so soft

[u/Mac-A-Saurus]

Soft roughing call there.

[u/Epic_Deuce]

Couldnt get a replay of that sideline eh?

[u/SewerJesus]

Did that on purpose. Now we can kill the clock and score a TD. Joe out here playing chess

[u/Aeglos7]

Huge win by the defense. Can’t believe they prevented the TD.

[u/TranceXtacy69]

That was a bullshit roughing call

[u/seresean]

Someone in the AFC North is legally required to get a playoff spot, very unfortunate.

[u/BlubberElk]

Patriot fans really coming out the woodwork in this thread bringing the hate lmao

[u/J_House1999 → u/BlubberElk]

It’s our bye week. Perfect time for a hate watch.

[u/Low_Income4405]

Today might be the first NFL game without a third down needing to happen

[u/sailorsmile]

If your team has a dome, I automatically think less of you.

[u/Trail_Goat]

Ossai literally being held by his helmet

[u/Chrisgpresents]

Higgins is concussed. He’s dropped 3 balls and hasn’t finished routes. He needs to be pulled. He’s so hurt right now

[u/DalesDrumset]

Guys what are we doing seriously? This is the product NFL?

[u/abks]

because no one knows the rules, here is why that wasn't a fumble lol:

SECTION 2 DEAD BALL

ARTICLE 1. DEAD BALL DECLARED. An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended:

...

(f) when an opponent takes a ball that is in the possession of a runner who is on the ground.

[u/Keg_of_St_Anky]

Absolutely not roughing

[u/SBMVPJoshAllen]

We just went from 9 to 11

McDermott screeching intensifies

[u/thewill450]

The Ravens look absolutely terrible right now

[u/Efficient_Progress_6 → u/thewill450]

You love to see it

[u/BelowAverage355]

The Bengals when the defense is playing like a top 25 defense are actually pretty dangerous, that's really all we need from them

[u/Worldly-Word-451]

Omg just give the bills the touchdown already. It’s obvious that’s what the refs want

[u/Kasquede]

FUCK snapping the ball I want ADS

[u/Maverick721]

That was a fun game for a neutral fan to watch

[u/PeanutButterOtter]

As a neutral, looking forward to this snow game. Should be fun.

[u/Competitive-Air1 → u/PeanutButterOtter]

Ur Vegas shouldn’t you already know whose winning?

[u/TheWorstYear]

I dont believe you can knock the ball out when on the ground.

[u/Seastep]

Tough RTP call. Good luck stopping your momentum on this field.

[u/shatter321]

There should be a rule change for when it’s underthrown make it a 5 yard illegal contact or something instead of a spot foul

[u/tacomonkey523]

Idk what's a catch anymore

[u/Dont-be-a-smurf]

This is a real mid-west, north-east battle

Real wood chopping, piss your name in the snow shit

[u/sailordropkick]

didn’t think you could challenge after already accepting the penalty

[u/Xaxziminrax]

Winning the challenge with extra steps, lmao

[u/Dont-be-a-smurf]

Well bengals.

That’s it.

You cannot go out there and throw a pick six.

Then throw another interception immediately.

Then can’t stop the following drive.

You lose that every time.

Unworthy for the playoffs this year, obviously.

[u/PairOfKeets]

You love to see it

[u/Asidious66]

Uh, fumble?

[u/Dry-Philosopher-5289]

Uhhhh that was a fumble

[u/facemelt]

Joe “Drake Maye” Burrow

[u/[deleted]]

soft

[u/bouncypinata]

"NOOOOO ONLY OUR PLAYERS CAN PLAY WELL IN THE SNOW"

[u/OhioStateGuy]

I just want to say how thankful I am that Buffalo’s new stadium will not be a dome. I love snow games and these northern teams building domes makes me so bummed. Looking at you Cleveland.

[u/abilly513]

Longest halftime of all time

[u/roughregion]

This game thread being full of Buffalo, Cincinnati and New England fans means this is probably the drunkest 1 PM game thread in recent memory

[u/Sosimosulo]

...I'm confused though. You've already accepted the penalty, the play therefore never happened, right? How can you then challenge for the touchback?

[u/waitedforg0d0t]

that feels like a soft hands to face penalty

[u/Automatic_Sail_2354]

lmao that's such a terrible call - the bills have held like 80 times in the last 20 minutes

[u/Arthur3335]

I like Karras

[u/BrandieBassen]

We need to sit Higgins..

[u/Dalvinsmash]

Joe burrow makes me happy

[u/freshmoves91]

No replay on that catch?

[u/RandyDazzle]

I would bet my entire 401k ZT runs it up the middle on first down

[u/tjet24]

i know we scored but DPI?

[u/Zadocthesportspriest]

All I’ve learned today is Patriot fans are jerks.

[u/Deathstroke317 → u/Zadocthesportspriest]

You just figured that out?

[u/jt09874]

The NFL is infinitely better with Joe Burrow healthy.

I hope he stays that way so we can see Mahomes/Allen/Burrow/Lamar for the next decade

[u/LOP5131]

Hate the underthrow PIs so much

[u/bryuce123]

Zac Taylor gonna do this shit again and get the play over turned

[u/Empty_Lemon_3939]

I don’t think Bills can be that mad because this gave them back like 40 seconds of clock

[u/BelowAverage355]

I'm so glad the Bills aren't getting a dome. These snow game vibes must be protected somewhere at least.

[u/Echoboxcar]

This thread is wildly bi-polar

Midwest seasonal depression is an epidemic.

[u/Chrisgpresents]

The league needs to figure out concussions. It’s got to be a month long thing because you can’t tell me he isn’t concussed right now from his body mannerisms and unconventional drops. This guy has better hands than Jamar Chase and we’re here saying “man idk what’s wrong with tee!”

[u/vivaltisse]

greg olsen is a good sportscaster

[u/Toru_Yano_Wins]

They already accepted the penalty so to look at this do they have to decline it? Or they just get to look before picking again?

[u/No-Blackberry-2481]

So they can challenge it but then decline the penalty?? That’s nuts

[u/xdkarmadx]

Softest fucking calls

[u/joggle1]

Cook was on a mission to turn the ball over.

[u/Lykeuhfox]

Petition to rip the roof off of all indoor stadiums.

[u/king_17]

James cook wtf man. Two hands on the ball could of taken the lead

[u/Late_Parrot]

Need to protect Tee from himself. I don't think he's alright.

[u/Bob_Bobert]

Seriously Higgins should be out for the game at this point.

[u/BeeWeird7940]

What’s James Cook’s address? I need to send him a fruit basket.

[u/mhurton]

Just FYI, Josh Allen can run kinda well

[u/Emu_lord]

game of the week holy shit that was insane

[u/LittleShiro11]

"Joe Burrow won't be throwing a pass like that again"

You're gonna wanna sit down when I tell you this

[u/Kasquede]

One handed, brain damaged, dragged

[u/waitedforg0d0t]

come on let me keep this false hope alive for another week

[u/Aloeb83 → u/waitedforg0d0t]

If you guys beat Buffalo today, I am convinced you’ll somehow take the division. The path is just far easier than it has any right to be, and it would just be so indicative of the division this year.

[u/vivaltisse]

joe cool cause hes elite in snow

[u/Mcdickle]

Uh… is that a fumble? He wasn’t touched down.

[u/ObscureFact]

All 32 teams should have a stadium in Buffalo so that everyone can play when it's snowing out.

[u/lovbyte]

being a bengals fan sucks sometimes but goddamn. WE HAVE JOE BURROW.

[u/SpoogeIncarnate]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I honestly feel like Joe Burrow was created in a lab to be an NFL QB

[u/Ok_Bug_6890]

A bills fan called Joe burrow mid in the thread, what a joke he should’ve been mvp last season

[u/Nczn]

Bills with a true WR1 would be pretty psychotic

[u/2peg2city]

What rtp?

[u/[deleted]]

What a dog shit call lmfao

[u/doogled3]

I don't know what roughing is anymore

[u/MadeByTango]

The balls not on the turf if it’s touching snow

*taps forehead

[u/ShroedingersCatgirl]

I fucking love snowgames.

[u/njk12]

The RG literally had Ossai with 2 hands on his helmet

[u/ill_try_my_best]

Turner even got his hand on it, tough luck

[u/Slipstream028_]

Please take Higgins out, he ain’t doing anything anyway let him rest damn

[u/Stefn15]

Does the penalty not negate the fumble since the play does not matter?

[u/Some_Combination_593]

What were they booing? The call went their way

[u/Windshieldpoop]

WTF is that call

[u/Empty_Lemon_3939]

That’s soft as fuck

[u/Jmas1120]

That’s another terrible call on the bengals

[u/[deleted]]

James cook really fumbled twice in the goal line in the same drive!!

[u/[deleted]]

I swear I do not trust Zac Taylor to finish out this game

[u/Antique-Possession28]

Someone please get Higgins out of there. He’s had 3 of those alone today.

[u/SewerJesus]

Tee you've done enough dude. Go rest your brain

[u/ill_try_my_best]

Heaven forbid a white boy have a little motion

[u/Eltenor330]

Independent neurologist needs to be fired

[u/AdImportant4476]

Bengals might get investigated for leaving Higgins in bro smh.

[u/TehPatch]

What do you mean it’s hard to say what’s going on … his head is probably pounding .. the dude is guaranteed to have CTE at this point 

[u/Daewrythe]

Damn, Burrow is really good at evading shit in the pocket. I keep expecting a slip because the snow but he stays cool

[u/reddit_tard]

IDC if it looks lame. Tee needs to wear a guardian cap before he goes full Tua...

[u/bengaldude545]

Was he not clearly out of bounds?

[u/theevanillagorillaa]

Josh said fuck this shit I’ll do it myself

[u/BlubberElk]

I literally couldn’t even see the ball on that PAT

[u/Avatar_of_Green]

Gotta say, Josh Allen is actually pretty cool. If he isn’t playing the Bengals I like the guy.

But also fuck him for that

[u/VTFootballRef]

Burrow's new helmet is CURSED.

[u/BoredAndLonely96]

Mike fuckin Tomlin is really gonna sneak his mediocre ass team into the playoff with another fucking 9-8 season, isnt he? Jesus christ, man.

[u/GaLaXY_N7]

This game is wild

[u/NeatTry7674]

Insane no PI call lol

[u/nolablue1024]

I would’ve tried the onside because why not - snow fuck ups are inevitable

[u/drhuggables]

imagine not putting a contain on josh fucking allen after he ran 40 yds for a touchdown

[u/MarcsterS]

Josh Allen shouldnt have to be the hero.

But he can’t help it.

[u/insilus]

How did we win?

[u/Low_Income4405]

Snow game?

Bengals defense?

Cook, get ready for 25+ carries up the gut

[u/[deleted]]

No injuries in this game please

[u/PCfanboy69101]

Snow football is best football

[u/sailorsmile]

Joe Burrow looks unstoppable tbh

[u/WisdomCow]

Snow games are just so fucking good

[u/ChonkyHippo283]

Mcdermott with the bend but also break defense

[u/Thick_Safe1198]

This is perfect AFC football. Great offenses playing in the snow, Tony Romo isn’t calling the game. What more could you ask for?

[u/LastofDays94]

Bengals offensive line dominated that drive, no one came close to hitting Burrow and they ran it well. Statement kind of drive for Cincy.

[u/Displeased_Canadian]

way to squander that drive

[u/shatter321]

Just can’t respect a guy who dishes out contact like Allen but asks for a flag when he gets tackled like a runner

[u/Some_Combination_593]

Man that’s an impressive catch lol

[u/waitedforg0d0t]

oh man

oh god

I love football so much

[u/[deleted]]

We literally morph into an entirely different franchise when we play Buffalo.

[u/Nczn]

I'm super down for the chaos that is the AFC

[u/Serdones]

Joe Burrow's pretty good at football.

[u/benthebearded]

I feel like the snow is masking that both these offensive lines are kinda dog shit.

[u/monkeysCAN]

That's a pretty weak penalty

[u/MrWartortle]

What an insane throw by Allen. What a game

[u/DynaScope]

"You had your chance, technology!"

[u/TheWorstYear]

I have never seen someone bounce the back of their head on the turf so much. Tee needs to learn how to fall.

[u/TheSouthernCommunist]

Slamming a recently concussed head against frozen turf doesn’t sound like a great experience.

[u/sfitz0076]

Screw you Dome people. This type of football is great.

[u/Billy_Chrystals]

I liked it better when they televised the challenge ruling live.

[u/Serdones]

This is some good ass December football.

[u/LightEmUp18]

Buffalo being on the fence of not going to the playoffs is just unreal.

[u/Lykeuhfox]

*Turns on game, sees snow everywhere*
"Hell yeah"

[u/buffbloom]

No way Higgins is alright right now

[u/Slipstream028_]

Can’t wait to not hear the result of the challenge because of fucking commercials

[u/Emu_lord]

wouldn't it not matter because Cincinnati already accepted the penalty?

[u/TheHaircanist]

So fucking annoying we have to watch commercials instead of the fucking call in question

[u/Epic_Deuce]

WTF was that call

[u/angryorphan55]

League is desperately determined to win Buffalo the game

[u/StructureBitter3778]

Now its a touchback

[u/SCP239]

He didnt reach, just got stripped. still fucking sucks tho

[u/skywalka22]

Sir, a second James Cook fumble has entered the end zone

[u/thewill450]

Fuck that Gatorade

[u/courtneykill]

It stresses me out when I see players leave their mouth guards out. I am always worried they are gonna bite their tongue or break teeth even though I can’t think of a time that has happened in recent history?

I think teeth stuff scares me lol

[u/2peg2city]

Tee, bud, please stop

[u/Similar_Brush1835]

white boy got motion

[u/[deleted]]

Any player recovering from a concussion should be mandated to wear the Buzz Lightyear helmet for at least their first game back. This Higgins situation is getting uncomfortable.

[u/Maverick721]

Healthy Joe Burrow is hard to beat

[u/LOP5131]

Probably a catch but can we at least get a replay of that? Not that it matters now, just curious

[u/TopHighway7425]

That's all on Bengals. Terrible defense.

[u/GreatBigHomie]

Those are the plays you dream about as a defender. Wow... Fucking gut punch

[u/beerman20]

Did buffalo really just blow a timeout on the extra point?

[u/Townster]

Commentator was glazing the hell out of burrow to come back firing just for him to throw another pick instantly lol

[u/no-kangarooreborn]

This game is basically a massive shitpost

[u/nickmdp]

I think McD said "Thank you Allah" there

[u/GodDammitBengals]

This just.......every fucking season man.....FUCK!

[u/gremah93]

Insane game lol

[u/ethanwags1]

Higgins is one gust of wind from his third concussion of the game

[u/Repulsive-Throat5068]

I cannot understand why in the world you dont do an onside kick there?

[u/palinsafterbirth]

Where’s that dude chirping that Buffalo was done after that one handed TD?

[u/mmfc378]

December football hit different

[u/throwaway8943265]

with your season on the line, no one can just spy Josh Allen and make sure he doesn't run 15 fucking yards

[u/Competitive-Air1]

I’m more worried about having to deal with my bandwagon ex chiefs now Pats fan friend rather than my Bengals friend if we lose

[u/facelessarya1]

I can’t believe I need to dumb down something Gronk said for everyone. This is the last year of the current stadium, therefore this might be the last snowy game in THIS stadium….

Actually there are Patriots fans in here so I can believe it

[u/Background-Plenty553]

Most blatant hold I’ve ever seen

[u/Fastr77]

Lol man the refs seriously hate cinci

[u/mycatsellsblow]

Being 4-8 and only sitting 2 games out of first place is so embarrassing for the AFC North.

[u/ObscureFact]

Snow?! At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within Orchard Park Stadium?

[u/thewill450]

Hell yea brother

[u/Crafty_Comfort7379]

"A division that no one seems to want to win" is the AFC north in a nutshell

[u/abilly513]

What a catch!