Buffalo Bills Lose Third Straight At Home

You certainly can't consider yourself a playoff team when you lose three straight games at home.  That's where the Bills find themselves after a 34-21 defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals.  The key for the Bills was to stop the Bengals offense and the Bills failed badly.

On four trips inside the red zone, the Bengals scored touchdowns each time, three of them on passes by Andy Dalton.  Coach Rex Ryan says a lot of the Bengals success had to do with where they were able to start their drives.  The Bengals average drive start was at their own 41.  The Bills meanwhile had an average start on their own 15.

Quarterback E J Manuel got the start in place of Tyrod Taylor and completed 28 of 42 for 263 yards with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Watkins.  He also ran two yards for a touchdown.

The injuries continue to mount.  Watkins was injured on his touchdown catch just before halftime and didn't return.  He has an ankle injury.  The Bills also lost Kyle Williams to a knee injury and Marquise Goodwin to a rib injury.  All will likely miss significant time.  So add them to a list that already includes Tyrod Taylor, Aaron Williams, Percy Harvin, Marcus Easley and Karlos Williams.

And penalties are still a factor for the Bills were whistled for 8 penalties for 93 yards compared to just 3 penalties against the Bengals.  Rex Ryan says it's frustrating, it's an issue they continue to stress and if there's no resolution they'll be forced to make personnel changes.

With the loss the Bills fall to 3-3.  They play the Jacksonville Jaguars in London next week.