Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford was at the center of the moment that changed the game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Joe Burrow was driving the Bengals down the field with a 28-25 lead when he tossed the ball to Benford rushing off the edge on a screen play. Benford took the ball 63 yards to the house. The Bills would never relinquish the lead from there, winning 39-34.
Last week, Benford was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in-part because of a fumble return touchdown (his first career touchdown) against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: Christian Benford #47 of the Buffalo Bills reacts as he leaves the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Christian Benford Says Glory Goes to His God
Benford discussed the moment postgame, saying it was divine intervention that he decided to abandoned his technique and jump.
“It was a blitz, he called my number, they gave me a signal to go,” Benford said. “I was trying to disguise. I didn’t know what was about to happen because I just surrender to God and let God do what he wants to do.
“I was trying to do my technique and I actually didn’t do my technique right, if we being honest. I lowkey was expecting run, so I was expecting to tackle, but I saw him crank back and look for the now throw. And I wasn’t supposed to jump. The technique is don’t leave your feet. But I don’t know, God told me to leave my feet. I’m sorry, but then the rest was history.”
Asked what it was like running to the end zone as the Buffalo faithful went crazy in the stands, Benford said it was like his college days at Villanova.
“It was pretty awesome. I haven’t really did that since college. When I was running, I thought (Ja’Marr) Chase was about to get me, I ain’t gonna lie to you. I was like let me put some wheels.
“I was expecting to make a game-changing play, I just wanted to do my job.”
Josh Allen Poised to Make Another Postseason Run
Josh Allen was excited for his teammate postgame. “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 touchdown passes came on fourth down, and he added a 40-yard scoring run — breaking his own franchise record for the longest rushing TD by a quarterback. He later sealed the win with a 17-yard scramble on third-and-15, allowing Buffalo to drain the clock.
It wasn’t a flawless performance, made sloppier by a field slickened with steady snow flurries.
But for Buffalo (9–4), the result was what mattered. The Bills notched back-to-back wins for the first time in a month and stayed in step in a crowded AFC race.
The Bengals (4–9), meanwhile, saw their already faint postseason hopes fade further. Their best chance entering the weekend was a run at the AFC North, but the loss dropped them three games behind Pittsburgh.
Bills CB Christian Benford Gets Honest on Game-Changing Touchdown