Cincinnati and Buffalo exchanged two mirrored possessions to start the game. Both teams picked up a first down on their second play of their opening possessions, followed by a three-and-out by both teams.

The Bills picked up their third possession from the Bills 14-yard line. Fitzpatrick attempted a deep first down pass with Frostee Rucker in his face, nearing the left numbers to Donald Jones with the pass nearly picked off by a falling Reggie Nelson. Buffalo picked up six yards on a short pass to tight end Scott Chandler.

On third down at their own 20-yard line with 7:21 left in the first quarter, Fitzpatrick takes the shotgun snap and tries to hit Brad Smith running a vertical towards the left sidelines. The football was in Smith's hands, but as he fell down, the football was dislodged as he fell.

Three possessions by the Bills. Three punts, and the last two were the result of a three-and-out.