ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo's first drive of Friday night's preseason opener, a 21-20 Bills' victory, was a nightmare rerun for the Bengals defense.

        After end Vaughn Booker knocked down a Rob Johnson pass to force a third-down play, Cincinnati's defense resembled the unit that gave up a league-high 460 points in 1999.

        An offside penalty moved the Bills back to their 29-yard line, but Johnson completed passes for 23 and 19 yards, and Antowain Smith ran for 13 and 16 yards. Four plays, four consecutive first downs, 71 yards, one touchdown.

        But the first- and second-team defense tightened. It didn't break. It didn't even bend.

        The next three Buffalo series were three plays and punts. No first downs. Ten total yards. The Bills gained a first down on a third-down play on their fifth drive when Cincinnati cornerback Tom Carter was called for pass interference.

        “After our first series, we settled down and played our defense,” coach Bruce Coslet said. “It wasn't what we've been practicing when they marched down and scored on us. But that has to get fixed. After that drive, they didn't really do much to us. I don't remember them converting another third down us. We knew we could play. We've got to do it from the opening bell.”

        Cincinnati's defense held Buffalo to one first down on 10 more third-down plays for the rest of the game.

        Buffalo did score on its final drive of the first half, a ragged series of plays that included two scrambling runs by backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt for 25 yards. Cincinnati's defense did look bad on a busted 34-yard touchdown play from Van Pelt to Avion Black that gave Buffalo a 14-10 halftime lead.

        For the game, the Bengals had a 15-minute advantage in time of possession, 37:16 to 22:42.

        The Cincinnati defense gave the team a chance to win late. Safety Cory Hall recovered a fumble at the Bills' 40 with 2:16 remaining.

        The Bengals moved 28 yards, but Doug Pelfrey's 29-yard field goal was blocked on the last play.

        BLOCKED: The blocked kick was Pelfrey's second in play this preseason. He had an extra point knocked down by rookie cornerback Robert Bean in the intrasquad scrimmage.

        Pelfrey is coming off his poorest of seven pro season and battling for his job with rookie Neil Rackers.

        “It felt like it was on time,” Pelfrey said. The blocked field goal “doesn't help” him in his competition.

        BLOCKING: Quarterback Akili Smith, who completed 12 of 18 passes and looked poised in the pocket, gave credit to the offensive linemen.

        The Bengals outgained the Bills 351-294 yards and ran 78 plays to Buffalo's 49.

        “The offensive line did a tremendous job in giving me time today,” Smith said Friday.

        BEAN TIME: Bean followed his impressive scrimmage with a solid preseason debut.

        He had three tackles on defense, two defended passes and a tackle on special teams.

        REDHAWK REUNION: Bengals tight end Damian Vaughn and Bills linebacker Dustin Cohen, both Miami University products, walked off the field talking Friday night. Cohen, an undrafted free, had two tackles, including a sack for a two-yard loss.

        NEW INJURIES: Linebacker Alan Buckwalter is out of the Atlanta game with a hamstring. Safety Greg Myers is questionable with a knee strain.

        UP NEXT: The Bengals practice 3-5 p.m. today in Georgetown, Ky. Cincinnati plays its second preseason game Friday night in Altanta against the Falcons.

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