Defense Has Buffalo in Top Form

The Buffalo Bills are where they hoped to be. It’s where many figured they wouldn’t return--alone atop the AFC East.

The Bills, who struggled through the first eight games, put together their third solid game in a row, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 31-17, on Sunday at Rich Stadium.

“This football team has taken a different direction,” Bill center Kent Hull said. “The second half of the season is where you win championships. We found a niche, a personality, for this team. It’s been the key.”

Buffalo (8-3) won the same way it had in recent weeks, by dominating on defense and using a much-improved no-huddle attack on offense. And with Denver’s 34-8 victory over New England, the Bills grabbed sole possession of the division lead.

The key for Buffalo this week was setting the pace early and putting the Bengals away. Cincinnati (4-7), even after it drew within two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, never had much chance.

Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly completed 13 of 22 passes for 199 yards, scoring one touchdown and throwing for another. His one interception was returned 31 yards by Ashley Ambrose for a score that cut Buffalo’s lead to 14-7 in the second quarter.

But the Bills made up for Kelly’s blunder when linebacker David White picked up Ki-Jana Carter’s fumble and ran 12 yards for a touchdown with 3:51 left in the first half.

Buffalo kicker Steve Christie added a 22-yard field goal, and the Bills had a 24-7 lead by halftime, handing Bengal Coach Bruce Coslet his first loss in four games since taking over from David Shula.

Andre Reed had six catches for 105 yards, and Thurman Thomas finished with 78 yards and a touchdown before sitting out most of the second half. Bills’ safety Kurt Schulz had two interceptions, and Buffalo registered seven sacks.

The Bengal offense unraveled early.

Jeff Blake completed only eight of 22 passes for 95 yards and was intercepted once before he was pulled in the fourth quarter. Carter ran for one touchdown and Doug Pelfrey added a 30-yard field goal, but by then, the Bills had a commanding lead.

“We didn’t care if it was 56-0,” Bill linebacker Sam Rogers said. “We were going after the quarterback. The guys on this defense are so competitive. We wanted to get the message out.”