Buffalo Bills Start Slow Again, Trail Cincinnati Bengals At Halftime

The Buffalo Bills' recurring issue of starting games slowly this season has plagued them once again against the Cincinnati Bengals as they trail 21-7 at halftime.

The Buffalo Bills' game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night was always going to be an emotional one.

It was the Bills' first time at Paycor Stadium since January, when safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and had a near-death experience. Even with Hamlin being inactive, the Bills would have to keep themselves in top shape mentally.

While nothing too emotional happened in the first half, the Bills haven't been as sharp as they'd like to be as they trail 21-7 at halftime.

Josh Allen / USA TODAY

The game initially looked like it would be a shootout, with the first three possessions, two for Cincinnati and one for Buffalo, resulting in touchdowns. After that, the two teams exchanged punts before Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt picked off Bills quarterback Josh Allen to set Cincinnati up in plus territory. The Bengals were unable to take advantage, though, as they eventually punted after multiple penalties.

Cincinnati wasn't done, though, as after getting the ball back, they marched down the field quickly to push their lead to two scores.

Allen did not have his best showing in the first half, completing nine of 15 passes for 120 yards and the aforementioned interception. Buffalo's ground game also struggled to get anything going with just 11 yards on five carries. Allen did have a two-yard rushing touchdown, and picked up a taunting penalty in the process by pointing to a Bengals defender.

By comparison, the Bengals' offense was much more effective. Joe Burrow was the far sharper of the two quarterbacks, completing 18 of 24 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Mixon scored a touchdown on the ground, while tight ends Irv Smith Jr. and Drew Sample each caught one..

The Bills will get the ball to start the second half as they look to get back in the game.