Bills Central

'Better Send Those Refunds!' Joe Burrow, Bengals Beat - and Troll - Bills: Playoffs Live Game Log

The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals met in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. ... and the result was not pleasant. Follow along with Bills Central as we keep you informed as the game happens.

Timm Hamm

In this story:

The Buffalo Bills didn't really disrespect the Cincinnati Bengals. Nor did the NFL. The idea of making AFC Championship Game tickets available in case the Bills advanced from this Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday at Highmark Stadium was a logistic issue, not a slap.

But the Bengals, 27-10 winners, nevertheless used all the news about a Bills AFC Championship Game in neutral-site Atlanta as motivation.

"Better send those refunds!'' Bengals QB Joe Burrow taunted after the Buffalo loss.

Here's how it all went down ...

These two teams forged a bond beyond sports three weeks ago in a game that was canceled due to the medical emergency surrounding Bills safety Demar Hamlin.

Hamlin's recovery to this point has been nothing short of a miracle, as he's making regular visits to the team's facility.

“I think it gives you a more sturdy foundation," Bills quarterback Josh Allen said. "The more struggle, the more adversity that you can see over the course of the year, it just makes you stronger.

“We’ve been in some really weird situations this year that not a lot of teams maybe have ever gone through. Being able to have that under our belts, understand those emotions in those situations, and just try to use it to our advantage.”

It will be a battle between two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Allen and Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow. Since 2021, Allen ranks second in the NFL with 72 touchdown passes, followed by Burrow who has 69. Both finished tied for second with 35 each this season.

Cincinnati brings with it to Orchard Park a franchise-best nine-game winning streak and hasn't lost since Halloween. The Bills have won eight straight, one short of their franchise record.

The Bills won the toss and elected to defer...

FIRST QUARTER: Bengals 14, Bills 0

Cincinnati begins their drive from their own 25 after the touchback.

Burrow hits Chase for seven on first down, the Mixon runs for four for a first down.

Burrow finds Boyd deep down the left side for 23.

Mixon runs off right tackle for 10 and a new set of downs.

Burrow passes to Hurst for seven to the BUF 28.

TOUCHDOWN BENGALS: Burrow passes deep down the middle to Chase who avoids a couple of tackles and scampers into the end zone. The McPherson extra point is good for a 7-0 Bengals lead with 11:40 left in the quarter. The scoring drive goes 79 yards in six plays and took 3:20 off the clock.

McPherson kicks to the BUF 2, returned 22 yards to the BUF 24 by Hines.

Allen passes to  McKenzie for two yards, the finds Diggs for another four. On 3rd and 4, Allen is pressured and misses Diggs deep down the left sideline. 

The Martin punt goes 53 yards to the CIN 17, returned 11 yards by Taylor to the CIN 28.

Mixon runs up the middle for five, then carries again off left guard for 16 and a first down at the CIN 49.

In the last four games (including playoffs) the Bengals have outscored their opponents 32-0.

Burrow finds Higgins for six yards on first down, then Perine runs up the middle for four and a new set of downs.

Burrow passes short on the left side for Higgins for 11 yards.

Chase runs an end around to the right for a gain of just three, then Burrow finds Perine for four and a 3rd and 3 upcoming. Burrow is sacked for a loss of 10... PENALTY on BUF-Basham, defensive offsides, five yards, enforced at the BUF 23 - no play.

Burrow hits Mixon short left, pushed out of bounds at the BUF 13 for a gain of five, then Mixon runs off right end for a loss of two and a 3rd and 7.

TOUCHDOWN BENGALS: Burrow passes short to the right side for Hurst for a gain of 15 yards and a touchdown. The McPherson extra point is good for a 14-0 Bengals lead with 3:47 left in the quarter. The scoring drive goes 72 yards in 10 plays and took 6:15 off the clock.

McPherson's kick goes through the end zone for a touchback.

Singletary runs off left guard for three yards, then Cook runs for two for a 3rd and 5. Allen misses Singletary in the right flat for a punting situation.

Martin punts 51 yards to the CIN 19, Taylor returns it for 13 yards to the CIN 32.

Burrow passes incomplete to Wilcox across the middle, then misses Chase short on the right side for a 3rd and 10. Burrow finds Irwin for 14 yards and a first down. Penalty on BUF-Rousseau, Defensive Offside, declined.

Burrow passes incomplete to Boyd on first down, then Mixon runs for three. On 3rd and 7 Burrow is sacked for a loss of two.

Chrisman punts 28 yards to the BUF 25 out of bounds.

Allen is sacked for a loss of three.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER: Bengals 17, Bills 7

Allen hits Diggs for 16 yards and a first down at the BUF 38. A gain of 16. 

Allen scrambles up the middle for three yards, then Allen hits Davis for nine yards to the 50 and a first down.

Allen finds Diggs for a gain of seven, the Allen passes to Beasley for 11 yards to the CIN 32.

Allen throws incomplete while under pressure, then Cook runs for eight, for a 3rd and 2. Cook runs up the middle for a gain of just one.

FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION BILLS: Allen sneaks up the middle for two yards and a first down.

Allen scrambles for five yards. PENALTY on BUF-Bates, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at CIN 21 - No Play.

On 1st and 20, Cook runs up the middle for four, then Allen finds Shakir deep down the right side, pushed out of bounds at the CIN 4 for a gain of 23 yards.

Singletary runs up the middle for four, then Allen up the middle for three.

TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Allen runs off left guard for a gain of one and a touchdown. The Bass extra point is good for a 14-7 Bengals lead with 7:25 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 15 plays and took 7:41 off the clock.

The Bass kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Burrow passes short left side to Perine for four, then Burrow hits Hurst for six and a first down.

Mixon runs for 11 off left guard.

Burrow misses Chase deep down the left side incomplete, then Burrow hits Hurst across the middle for a gain of 18 yards to the BUF 36.

Burrow passes to Wilcox for nine, then Perine runs for seven more and a first down at the BUF 20.

Burrow throws the ball away while under pressure on first down, then Mixon runs for six. 

Timeout #1 by CIN at 02:47

On 3rd and 4, Burrow passes short left to Chase for eight yards to the BUF 6 and a 1st and Goal.

Mixon runs off left tackle for a gain of one.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Burrow passes incomplete under pressure. On third down, PENALTY on CIN-Carman, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at BUF 5 - No Play. 

Burrow finds Chase in the back of the end zone for 10 yards and a touchdown. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was REVERSED. Burrow passes incomplete short left to Chase.

FIELD GOAL BENGALS: McPherson is good from 28 for a 17-7 Bengals lead with 1:49 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 65 yards in 14 plays and took 5:36 off the clock.

The kickoff goes into the end zone but Hines returns it 22 yards to the BUF 20.

Allen passes short middle to Knox for five, then Allen passes to Singletary but the ball is batted down at the line of scrimmage. On 3rd and 5, Allen finds Knox for eight yards and a first down.

Allen finds Davis deep down the left side for 26 yards to the CIN 41 with 1:11 left in the half.

Allen passes incomplete as the ball is again batted down at the line of scrimmage. Then Allen passes incomplete to Singletary for a 3rd and 10 upcoming. Allen passes incomplete in the end zone to Diggs. Penalty on BUF-Dawkins, Offensive Holding, declined.

Martin punts 32 yards to the CIN 9, fair caught by Taylor with 40 seconds left in the half.

Burrow passes short right to Perine for a gain of 11 out of bounds at the CIN 20.

Burrow passes short middle to Perine again for five yards to the CIN 25.

Timeout #2 by CIN at 00:26

Burrow finds Perine again for a gain of six and another first down with 20 seconds left in the half.

Timeout #3 by CIN at 00:20

Burrow scrambles off left guard for 24 yards to the BUF 24 then spikes the ball to stop the clock with two seconds left.

Burrow passes incomplete in the back of the end zone.

END OF THE FIRST HALF

THIRD QUARTER: Bengals 24, Bills 10

McPherson kicks to the BUF 4, Hines returns it 24 yards to the BUF 28.

Singletary runs up the middle for three, then Allen throws to Diggs for eight and a first down.

Singeltary runs off right tackle for six, then runs up the middle for seven and another fresh set of downs.

Allen passes short right to Shakir for a gain of 17.

Allen scrambles left for two, then scrambles again off left tackle for a gain of six for a 3rd and 2 upcoming. Allen runs to the left for a gain of three and a first down.

Allen passes incomplete in the end zone for Diggs, then Allen hits Beasley for a gain of 11 to the CIN 9 and a first down.

Cook runs off left end for a loss of two, then Allen hits Hines for four. on 3rd and 7, Allen passes incomplete to Knox. 

FIELD GOAL BILLS: Bass is good from 25 yards out for a 17-10 Bengals lead with 7:42 left in the quarter. The scoring drive goes 65 yards in 14 plays and took 7:18 off the clock.

Bass kicks into the end zone for a touchback.

Mixon runs off right tackle for four, then Burrow scrambles left for nine and a first down.

Burrow passes short right for Chase for 11 more.

Burrow passes short right for Higgins who is pushed out of bounds at the BUF 40 for 11 yards.

Burrow passes incomplete short on the right side to Mixon, then Irwin drops a first-down ball for a 3rd and 10.

Timeout #1 by BUF at 05:19

Burrow passes short left to Hurst, pushed out of bounds at the BUF 27 for 13 yards and a first down.

Mixon runs off left end for seven, then Burrow runs up the middle for two. On 3rd and 1, Mixon runs off left end for 13 to the BUF 5 and a first down.

Burrow passes incomplete short left to Irwin. PENALTY on BUF-White, Defensive Pass Interference, 4 yards, enforced at BUF 5 - No Play.

PENALTY on BUF-Phillips, Encroachment, 0 yards, enforced at BUF 1 - No Play.

TOUCHDOWN BENGALS: Mixon runs for a yard and appeared to be stopped at the goal line. Cincinnati challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the play was REVERSED. J.Mixon left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The McPherson extra point is good for a 24-10 Bengals lead with 1:17 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 12 plays and took 6:25 off the clock.

McPherson kicks 65 yards from CIN 35 to BUF 0. Hines to BUF 30 for 30 yards. PENALTY on BUF-Q.Morris, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at BUF 22. Return credited to BUF 22 (spot of foul).

Allen passes incomplete to Diggs, then hits McKenzie for eight. On 3rd and 2, Allen overthrows Davis for a fourth down.

Martin punts 43 yards to the CIN 37.

Burrow passes short right side to Mixon for 13 yards.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER

FOURTH QUARTER: Bengals 27, Bills 10

Mixon runs off left end for nine, then runs off right guard for three more and a first down.

Burrow passes short left to Chase, pushed OB at the BUF 30 for eight yards, then Burrow missed Higgins as the ball was batted down at the line. 

Burrow pass incomplete deep left to Higgins. BUF-T.White was injured during the play. BUF-J.Poyer was injured during the play. PENALTY on BUF-T.White, Defensive Pass Interference, 26 yards, enforced at BUF 30 - No Play. 27-T.White and 21-J.Poyer walk off.

Burrow runs up the middle for no gain, then Burrow misses Hurst incomplete. On 3rd and Goal from the BUF 4, Mixon runs for two.

FIELD GOAL BENGALS: McPherson is good from 20 for a 27-10 Bengals lead with 11:22 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 61 yards in nine plays and took 3:40 off the clock.

McPherson kicks into the end zone for a touchback.

Allen passes deep left for Knox for 32 yards to the CIN 43.

Allen passes incomplete deep down the right side, then finds Beasley for 11 and a first down.

Allen sacked at CIN 39 for -7 yards (M.Hilton). FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CIN-Hendrickson at CIN 30. Hendrickson to CIN 32 for 2 yards. The Replay Official reviewed the fumble ruling, and the play was REVERSED. Allen pass incomplete short right.

Allen scrambles to the right for six, then throws incomplete to Singletary for no gain.

Allen passes incomplete to Diggs, the ball was batted down at the line of scrimmage.

On 3rd and 10 PENALTY on BUF-S.Brown, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at CIN 20 - No Play.

On 3rd and 15, Allen passes short right to Singletary for nine yards.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS to BENGALS: Allen passes incomplete to Davis in the end zone. First down, Bengals.

Perine runs off left tackle to the CIN 18 for two yards.

Timeout #2 by BUF at 07:19

Perine runs for 11 more and a first down, then Mixon runs for one more.

Timeout #3 by BUF at 07:08

Perine runs off right guard to the CIN 44, then up the middle

Christman punts for 46 yards to the BUF 10 out of bounds.

Allen passes short left to Singletary pushed OB at the BUF 18, then Allen passes to Knox for 13 more and a first down.

Allen passes short right to Singletary for two yards.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Allen pass incomplete short left to D.Knox, Singletary right tackle to BUF 41 for 6 yards, Allen pass short right to D.Singletary pushed ob at CIN 43 for 16 yards.

Allen pass short right to Q.Morris pushed ob at CIN 37 for 6 yards.

INTERCEPTION BENGALS: Allen pass deep right intended for C.Beasley INTERCEPTED by C.Taylor-Britt at CIN 2. C.Taylor-Britt to CIN 2 for no gain

Burrow kneels to CIN 1 for -1 yards, Burrow kneels to CIN 1 for no gain.

END OF GAME

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Timm Hamm
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