![Andy Dalton of Cincinnati [Image via Wikimedia Commons/Navin75]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/8/660x290/b_502x220x82/andy-dalton-of-cincinnati-wikimedia-commonsnavin75_1619417.jpg "Andy Dalton of Cincinnati [Image via Wikimedia Commons/Navin75]")
The Cincinnati Bengals improved to 2-3 on Sunday with a win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 of the 2017/18 NFL season. The final score in Sunday's game was 20-16 for Cincinnati as the Bengals survived some offensive errors and what appeared to be a minor injury to their quarterback Andy Dalton.
Dalton limping for much of game
Dalton suffered an affliction to his lower body in the first half of the contest. The injury was one that he was able to play through although the Bengals did have to call a timeout for their quarterback at the time of the injury.
He managed to throw for one touchdown early in the game, but otherwise, it wasn't a great day for him when it came to passing. While he did throw for 326 yards he also threw two interceptions on the day. Furthermore, there were a number of times when his pass attempts seemed dangerous as the Buffalo secondary appeared to have a good read on Dalton.
Buffalo now 3-2 on the season
Part of the story of the game was Buffalo's inability to capitalize on all the opportunities they had. The difference in the game was four points, the exact difference between a converted touchdown and a Field Goal. From that point of view, an early 4th-quarter drive that resulted in just three points instead of a touchdown could be looked at.
With about 11 minutes remaining in the game, the Bills received a punt at their own 36-yard line. The run back and a penalty to Cincinnati on the play combined to give Buffalo excellent field position at Cincinnati's 12-yard line. However, a running play for a loss, a missed pass, and then just a six-yard pickup left Buffalo having to kick a field goal.
That kick was good and it cut Cincinnati's lead to one point, but the Bengals would answer with a field goal of their own. That left Buffalo down by four with the minutes dwindling down. Had they scored a touchdown after starting a drive on their opponent's 12-yard line they would not have been in such a difficult spot. While the game is sixty minutes long, certainly the field-goal-instead-of-a-touchdown drive could be isolated as a key drive down the stretch.
Buffalo's Tyrod Taylor certainly had a weak day for passing. He went 20 for 37 for just 166 yards in the air. Cincinnati's defense seemed to be the key to the game for the Bengals as the franchise picked up a win that they really needed.
The Bengals lost their first two games of the season, but they did fire their offensive coordinator after that point. They have enjoyed increased offensive success since then and are in the thick of things in the AFC North. The Bengals have a Week-6 bye and their next game will come from Pittsburgh on October 22nd.
