Bills rally for 39-34 win over Bengals thanks to Josh Allen's 4 TDs, Christian Benford's pick-6

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Christian Benford apologized with a laugh, because the Buffalo Bills cornerback wasn’t supposed to jump when he instinctively leaped to snag Joe Burrow’s attempt to lob a pass over his head.

“I actually didn’t do my technique right, if I’m being honest,” Benford said. “But I don’t know, God just gave me something for me to leave my feet. I’m sorry, but then the rest was history.”

Benford intercepted Burrow's soft toss and returned it 63 yards for a go-ahead touchdown with 5:25 left, Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns and ran for one, and the Bills beat the Cincinnati Bengals 39-34 on a snowy Sunday.

By the time Benford outran intended receiver Ja'Marr Chase to the end zone, everyone on the Bills sideline was leaping for joy. It was one of three touchdowns in a span of 4:20 for Buffalo, which overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit.

“It’s fun to see your brother who does his job ... and can make plays for your team in big moments of the game,” Allen said. “It’s so awesome. He deserves every bit of it.”

Two of Allen's passing TDs came on fourth down. He also scored on a 40-yard run — breaking his own team record for the longest rushing TD by a quarterback — and capped the victory with a 17-yard scramble to convert a third-and-15 and allow Buffalo to run out the clock.

It wasn’t pretty. And it was a little sloppy with the field slicked by persistent snow flurries.

What mattered for Buffalo (9-4) was the outcome. The Bills have won two straight for the first time in a month and kept pace in the tightly packed AFC.

The Bengals (4-9) saw their already shaky playoff prospects dim even further. Their only realistic shot entering the weekend was winning the AFC North, but they fell three games behind Pittsburgh.

“Just sick for the guys,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said. “They made more plays than us down the stretch, and that was the difference in the game.”

Burrow’s boost to the Bengals lasted only one week after he oversaw Cincinnati’s 32-14 win over Baltimore in the starter’s first game after missing nine with a toe injury.

He finished with interceptions on consecutive plays. After being picked off by Benford, Burrow’s next pass was tipped by defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and intercepted by A.J. Epenesa. That set up Allen's 3-yard TD pass to Jackson Hawes.

“Could’ve thrown it higher, I guess,” Burrow said of Benford’s interception.

The interceptions were Burrow’s first in four starts this season. He finished 25 of 36 for 284 yards and four touchdowns while losing for the first time in nine starts dating to last season. The Bengals are guaranteed to finish with their fewest wins since going 4-11-1 in 2020 when Burrow was a rookie.

“Obviously we are not where we want to be as a team or organization,” Burrow said. “That’s how the cookie crumbled this year. Obviously, I would have loved to have been out there more, and would have loved to make an impact. But that wasn’t the case.”

Tee Higgins caught two touchdown passes, including a one-handed 25-yarder with 2:13 left. Tight end Mike Gesicki scored on a 12-yard catch and Chase Brown scored on a 5-yard run.

Allen finished 22 of 28 for 251 yards. His first TD pass, an 11-yarder on fourth down to Khalil Shakir, was Allen’s 20th of the season, making him the first NFL player with three season of 20 TDs passing and 10 rushing.

Benford, who returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown in a 26-7 win at Pittsburgh last week, became the Bills’ first player to score defensive TDs in back-to-back games.

The two interceptions were highlights for a defense that couldn’t get off the field to start the game. The Bengals scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives and converted seven of their first eight third-down opportunities.

Buffalo’s offense, meantime, had some sputters. With the Bills trailing 21-18, James Cook was stripped of the ball at the Cincinnati 1 by DJ Turner, and the Bengals’ Oren Burks recovered it in the end zone. And the Bills settled for a field goal when their opening drive stalled at Cincinnati's 5 — after running back Ty Johnson went down untouched with an open path to the end zone.

“That’s why it’s two halves of football, right? Sixty minutes,” Bills linebacker Shaq Thompson said. He then shared how Allen urged on the defense after Buffalo cut Cincinnati's lead to 28-25.

“Josh said we needed one. And when 17 says you need one, we got to lock in and buckle up,” Thompson said. “Guys stepped up. It doesn’t matter who makes the play, it’s just as long as the play gets made.”

Bengals: CB PJ Jules did not return due to an ankle injury. Higgins returned after twice being evaluated for a concussion.

Bills: S Cole Bishop was briefly sidelined with cramping.

Bengals: Host division rival Baltimore next Sunday.

Bills: At the AFC East-leading New England Patriots next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scrambles away from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Oren Burks (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) runs for a touchdown after intercepting a pass by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Also seen are Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (52), Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) and Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50). (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Snow falls as the Buffalo Bills line up for a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen reacts after running for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) scores a touchdown as Buffalo Bills linebacker Shaq Thompson (45) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) celebrates sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow with teammate cornerback Jordan Hancock (37) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

ATLANTA (AP) — With the game tied after a lackluster first half, Mike Macdonald knew his team needed a spark.

The Seattle coach called on newcomer Rashid Shaheed to provide it.

Shaheed returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and the Seahawks never looked back, beating the hapless Atlanta Falcons 37-9 on Sunday.

“Coach Mike, he called it,” safety Nick Emmanwori said, breaking into a big grin. “Right before we went back out from halftime, he literally called it out. He was like, 'Sheed, go take one back to the house.'”

Shaheed was acquired a month ago from the New Orleans Saints for a pair of draft picks, leaving one of the league's worst teams for one of its best.

He's starting to get accustomed to his new surroundings, also making four catches for 67 yards as he develops a connection with quarterback Sam Darnold.

“I've not been able to play for a playoff team yet,” Shaheed said. “This feels different. This feels like everyone has bought in.”

The Seahawks (10-3) broke away from a 6-6 tie at halftime with a 31-point beatdown of the Falcons over the final two quarters.

Seattle's defense came up with three turnovers as the Seahawks won for the seventh time in eight games. Darnold threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns, with a pair of scores to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and another to Cooper Kupp.

As for the Falcons, this all feels very familiar.

With its seventh loss in eight games, Atlanta (4-9) sealed an eighth straight losing campaign — matching the worst stretch in franchise history — and was officially eliminated from playoff contention with a month to go in the regular season.

Atlanta hasn't made the postseason since 2017, a year after its infamous Super Bowl meltdown to Tom Brady and the Patriots.

“The kickoff return was a backbreaker,” said embattled coach Raheem Morris, whose future is sure to remain a major topic in the A-T-L.

Shaheed's TD marked the third week in a row that Atlanta has given up a huge kickoff return. He was barely touched on his way to the longest touchdown of the NFL season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It was the longest return for the Seahawks since Tyler Lockett's 105-yarder against Chicago in 2015.

That wasn’t the only miscue on another awful day for Atlanta's special teams. Zane Gonzalez’s 50-yard field goal attempt was swatted away by Emmanwori, who streaked in off the edge without being blocked.

“We’ve got to go figure it out," Morris said. "We’ve got to put more people out there. We’ve got to change it up.”

The Seattle defense forced a fumble by Bijan Robinson when the Falcons were driving for a potential tying touchdown in the third quarter. DeMarcus Lawrence knocked the ball away and Devon Witherspoon scooped it up at the Seahawks 12.

On Atlanta's next possession, Kirk Cousins' pass for Kyle Pitts was deflected and picked off by Emmanwori, his first career pick. Witherspoon also had an interception on a wacky play when the ball ricocheted high in the air on a short throw by Cousins.

The Seahawks were bolstered on the defensive side by the return of safety Julian Love and tackle Jarran Reed from injured reserve, making the first time all season that unit was at full strength.

The Seahawks have one of the league's top defensive units, and they're not shying away from expectations.

Coming off a shutout of the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle held the Falcons to three field goals. Even in the closing minutes, with the outcome no longer in doubt, the defense took pride in stopping Atlanta near the goal line on fourth down.

“This defense is super special,” Emmanwori said. “We've got a lot of special dudes on this team, from the first level on the D-line to the linebackers to the secondary. I think this defense can be historic almost.”

The Falcons appeared to score the game’s first touchdown late in the first half when Darnell Mooney hauled in a 26-yard pass from Cousins down the left sideline.

But the Atlanta receiver stepped out of bounds just short of the end zone, and officials ruled that he did not re-establish himself on the field before making the catch. The Falcons were forced to settle for Gonzalez’s 43-yard field goal and a 6-3 lead with 1:01 left in the half.

That left enough time for Seattle to tie up before halftime. Darnold scrambled for a 12-yard gain and connected with Shaheed on a 16-yard pass, setting up Jason Myers’ 48-yard field goal on the final play of the half.

Seahawks: TE Elijah Arroyo and NT Brandon Pili both went down in the first half with knee issues. Macdonald said Pili should be OK, but Arroyo's injury could be more serious and will require further evaluation.

Falcons: WR Drake London (knee) missed his third straight game with a knee injury and was joined on the inactive list by DL Brandon Dorlus (groin). Edge Jalon Walker (quad) was injured in the first half.

Seahawks: Return home to face the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.

Falcons: A short week before they travel to Tampa Bay on Thursday night to face their NFC South rival Buccaneers.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon celebrates a fumble recovery against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp, center, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, left, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks down on the sideline as his team trails against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp, second from left, celebrates his touchdown with teammates Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and Nick Kallerup (89) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) looks back as he runs for a touchdown on a kickoff return against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)