A team that raised so many eyebrows around the NFL with back to back upset wins plummeted back to earth on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals 20-16.  The Buffalo Bills offense already short at the receiver position lost a big part of their passing attack with tight end Charles Clay going down early with a knee injury.  And any downfield advantage the Bills may have had went out the window with the loss of Clay.

The Bills defense came up with three takeaways against the Bengals; Michah Hyde had an interception while Jordan Poyer had an interception and fumble recovery.  The Bills offense was able to convert those three takeaways into only a pair of field goals and that may have been the difference in this game.

But despite all the great things the Bills defense has been able to do at the start of the season they didn't have much success against Andy Dalton. The Bengals quarterback passed for 328 yards while evading Bills defenders all day in key situations and converting those into first downs.  The Bills were able to sack Dalton just once for a five yard loss.

Meanwhile the Bills defense gave a big helping hand to the Bengals on what turned out to be their winning touchdown drive in the third quarter.  The Bills were called for holding and pass interference during the drive.  The interference call came on a third and long to keep the Bengals on the field.

Tyrod Taylor was only 20 of 37 for 166 yards and threw an interception on the Bills last possession when the Bills needed a touchdown.  He did hit Brandon Tate with a perfect 12-yard pass for a touchdown.  LeSean McCoy had 6 receptions for 26 yards.  Nick O'Leary caught 5 balls for 54 yards.  Stephen Hauschka was good on three field goal tries.

The Bills drop to 3-2, now tied with New England and the New York Jets for first place in the AFC East.  The Bills are off next week during their bye week.  The Bills are back home on Sunday, October 22nd against the Oakland Raiders.

 

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