ORCHARD PARK, NY (SMI-SPORTS-JAN. 21-23, 2023)-The Cincinnati Bengals who finished runner-up in the 2021 LVI Super Bowl, scored 2-TDs on its first two offensive drive defeating the Buffalo Bills 27-10, in AFC divisional knockout playoff game during a snowy-field, advances to the conference title match for the 2nd consecutive year at Highmark Stadium .
 
The much anticipated showdown match between Buffalo vs the Bengals was not even close as Cincinnati dominated the first quarter , shutting-down the Bill's offensive line and quarterback Joe Burrows throwing for 160-yards, and two touchdowns on Bengal's first two-offensive drive to put Cincinnati in front 14-0,  at the end of the first frame.

Cincinnati opened the scored on its first offensive drive with Joe Burrows completing his first 6-pass attempts and connecting with wide-receiver Jamarr Chase for a 28-yard TD, during 6-plays, and 79-yards to go ahead 7-0, over the Bills at 11:40 (03:20) mark.

After Buffalo punted on its first possession and 6-minute later, Burrows  connected with tight-end Hayden Hurst for a 15-yard TD, to increased the Bengal's lead 14-0, and consumed the clock during 10-plays, and 72-yards to closed-out the first quarter.

Cincinnati dominated the first quarter by outperforming the Bills in the stats with 160-11, in total yards, 116-6, passing yards, 44-5, rushing yards, 10-0, first down conversion and 11:33 versus 3:14, time possession in the first frame.

Buffalo on its first offensive drive of the second quarter scored a TD' to cut the deficit 14-7, when quarterback Josh Allen on 3 & goal at Bengals 1-yard line, rushed for a 1-yard touchdown during a long 15-plays, and 75-yards with 07:25' left in the half.

Cincinnati answered back with another long drive but they settled for a field goal kicked by Evan McPherson to make it 17-7, at the end of the half.

In the third quarter, the Bills went to the offensive and after a long drive of 14-plays, and 65-yards, Josh Allen on 3 & 7 at Bengal's 7-yard line failed to connect with D. Knox inside the end zone for an incomplete pass and settled for a field goal kicked by T. Bass to make it 17-10, with 7:42' remaining in the third frame.

Cincinnati kept the pressure and answered back with two consecutive scores, a TD and field goal to increased its lead to 27-10, with 11:22 left in the fourth quarter.

With the Bengals on 2 & Goal at Buffalo 1-yard line, running-back Joe Mixon rushed and scored on 1-yard TD to make it 24-10, and five minute later kicker Evan McPherson kicked a perfect 20-yard field goal to sealed the win for Cincinnati of 27-10, over Buffalo. 

The Bills had couple chances to reduce the deficit in the fourth quarter when
Josh Allen on 4 & 6 at Cincinnati 16-yard line threw an incomplete pass to Gabe Davis at 7:42, and on a shotgun formation, Allen threw a deep pass intended to wide receiver Cole Beasley but it was intercepted by Bengals' cornerback Cam Taylor Britt to killed the attack the rest of the game.

With the win, the Cincinnati Bengals advances to the AFC conference championship title game against the Kansas City Chiefs to be played next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.