Bengals with 17-10 lead over the Bills at half time

The Bengals opened the ensuing possession, after Buffalo's field goal to reduce Cincinnati's lead 17-10, at their own 27-yard line following Brandon Tate's 28-yard return with over four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Cincinnati called BenJarvus Green-Ellis' number twice, picking up 33 yards, including a 25-yard sprint that moved Cincinnati to the Bills 40-yard line with around three minutes left in the period. Mohamed Sanu caught a quick hook and powered his way 10 yards, with defenders draped over his back, leading to a three-yard run by Giovani Bernard to the Bills 27-yard line at the two minute warning.

Andy Dalton overthrew -- more like threw it away -- on second down to Tyler Eifert, leading to a third and seven from the Bills 27-yard line. Dalton tried feeding the ball to Green-Ellis but Jim Leonard picked off the football and returned it 41 yards to the Bengals 38-yard line.

The defense rose. Vontaze Burfict blew up a running back screen to Fred Jackson for a three-yard loss. Domata Peko and Geno Atkins combined for a quarterback sack and seven-yard loss and Thad Lewis' third down throw on third and 20 was incomplete.

Unfortunately, Brian Moorman's punt rolled out at Bengals one-yard line, leaving the Bengals no breathing room with 29 seconds remaining. After Dalton picked up two yards on a quarterback sneak, Dalton took two knees to end the first half.