Bills Storm Back in Wild Fourth Quarter to Stun Bengals, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
For a moment, it looked like the Cincinnati Bengals were about to slam the door on the Buffalo Bills’ playoff chances. Up 28-18 in the fourth quarter, Cincinnati had control, momentum, and the kind of lead that usually signals game over. But Buffalo had other plans.
Behind a ferocious late-game surge on both sides of the ball, the Bills flipped the script and pulled off a stunning 39-34 comeback win - a victory that not only keeps their postseason hopes alive but also served as one of their most explosive fourth quarters since their Week 1 clash with the Ravens. Buffalo poured in 21 points in the final frame, outscoring the Bengals 28-13 in the second half.
It wasn’t perfect - far from it. But in a game where resilience mattered most, the Bills delivered.
Let’s break down the biggest winners and toughest moments from a wild Week 14 win in Buffalo.
Winners
Josh Allen, QB
There’s no sugarcoating it - without Josh Allen, this comeback doesn’t happen. The Bills’ quarterback turned in a vintage performance, accounting for over 300 total yards and four total touchdowns, including a highlight-reel 40-yard rushing score that reminded everyone just how dangerous he is when he takes off.
Allen finished with 251 passing yards and 78 on the ground, but it wasn’t just the numbers - it was the timing. Down 10 in the fourth quarter, Allen took over, engineering scoring drives with a mix of precision passing and punishing runs.
His touchdown strike to Khalil Shakir wasn’t just clutch - it was historic. With that score, Allen became the first player in NFL history to post 20+ passing touchdowns and 10+ rushing touchdowns in three separate seasons.
In short: Allen put the team on his back and carried them across the finish line.
Christian Benford, CB
Last week, Christian Benford came up with a game-changing pick against the Steelers. This week, he did it again - only this time, it might’ve saved the season.
With the Bills trailing by three, Joe Burrow looked to hit Ja’Marr Chase on a quick pass. Benford read it perfectly, jumped the route, and took it all the way to the house. That pick-six gave Buffalo its first lead of the game and completely shifted the momentum.
Benford didn’t just make the play of the game - he also held Chase to just 44 yards receiving. That’s no small feat against one of the league’s most explosive wideouts.
Dalton Kincaid, TE
Back from injury and right back in the mix, Dalton Kincaid wasted no time making an impact. Targeted five times, the rookie tight end hauled in four catches for 41 yards, including a critical 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter that pulled the Bills within three.
Kincaid’s return added another dimension to Buffalo’s offense - a reliable, sure-handed target in the middle of the field who can create mismatches and move the chains. In a game where every possession mattered, his presence was felt.
Matt Prater, K
Kicking in December in Buffalo is never easy, and the snow was falling steadily throughout this one. But Matt Prater didn’t blink.
The veteran kicker was perfect on the day, going 4-for-4 on extra points and nailing a 26-yard field goal early in the game. In a tight contest where every point counted, Prater’s consistency was a quiet but crucial part of the Bills’ success.
Losers
James Cook, RB
Statistically, James Cook had a decent day - 80 rushing yards and over four yards per carry. But the story here isn’t about yardage. It’s about ball security.
Cook fumbled twice on the same drive in the red zone, and both could’ve been disastrous. The first came right at the goal line and went out of bounds, only to be negated by a holding penalty. The second came inside the five, and this time, the Bengals recovered it.
Buffalo managed to survive the miscues, but those turnovers could’ve easily swung the game the other way. For a team fighting for its playoff life, those kinds of mistakes are playing with fire.
Greg Rousseau, DE
With Joey Bosa sidelined due to a hamstring injury, this was supposed to be a breakout opportunity for Greg Rousseau to make his presence felt in the pass rush.
Instead, Rousseau was largely invisible. His name rarely came up, and his impact on the game was minimal at best. For a defense that needed someone to step up, Rousseau’s quiet outing was a missed opportunity - and one that didn’t go unnoticed.
Final Word
This was the kind of win that defines a season. Buffalo didn’t just beat the Bengals - they clawed their way back from the brink, leaned on their stars, and found a way to win when it mattered most.
There’s still work to be done. The Bills remain in a crowded AFC playoff picture, and mistakes like Cook’s fumbles or the inconsistent pass rush could come back to bite them. But for now, they live to fight another week - and they do so with the kind of momentum that can carry a team deep into December.
If Josh Allen keeps playing like this, and the defense continues to deliver game-changing plays, the Bills might just be getting hot at the right time.