CINCINNATI -- Two NFL teams stumbled their way through a football game Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, and more than likely, neither will go to the playoffs.

Yes, the Buffalo Bills -- 5-5 after their 16-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals -- still are mathematically alive in the playoff race. But little the Bills did Sunday should inspire confidence that they can mount a late-season run and avoid seeing their postseason drought extend to 17 consecutive seasons.

Despite the win, the Bills' flaws have become increasingly obvious. Buffalo had nine penalties for a costly 75 yards, including several flags that were indicative of a lack of discipline, not just aggressive play. Defensively, the Bills allowed the Bengals to score in both trips to the red zone, and offensively, quarterback Tyrod Taylor added another lackluster performance to an up-and-down season. Taylor managed only a 70.9 quarterback rating, threw a second-quarter interception and largely was neutralized as a runner, totaling 39 yards on nine carries.

Most importantly, injuries bit the Bills when they could least afford it. Buffalo lost its two best skill-position players outside of Sammy Watkins, who already is on injured reserve. Running back LeSean McCoy left late in the first half with a thumb injury and did not return, while wide receiver Robert Woods left in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return.

It is unclear how long either Woods or McCoy will be out, but losing either player would be a blow for a team that must win five of its remaining six games to finish with a 10-6 record and have a realistic shot at the playoffs.

The Bills won Sunday, but in truth, they simply did less to lose than Cincinnati did. While the victory delayed the inevitable, the reality is that the Bills are not good enough to make the playoffs.