The Buffalo Bills have now won four straight games, as they emerged from a competitive matchup with the Cleveland Browns victorious, 23-20. The Bills allowed the Browns to climb back into this matchup in the second half, but the Buffalo defense came up with a stop late in the fourth quarter, and allowed Josh Allen and Co. to run out the clock.
Allen completed 12 of 19 passes for just 130 yards, as Buffalo again relied heavily on the ground game. James Cook rushed 16 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while Ty Johnson added a rushing touchdown as well. Veteran safety Jordan Poyer stood out defensively with 11 tackles, one pass defensed and half a sack.
As for the Browns, Shedeur Sanders completed 20 of 29 passes for 157 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also led Cleveland with 49 yards rushing on four carries. Quinshon Judkins left the game on a cart shortly before halftime after suffering what appeared to be a serious right leg injury and is feared to have broken his leg. With Dylan Sampson inactive due to injury, Raheim Sanders replaced Judkins in the lineup and rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries.
All the Bills need now to clinch a playoff spot is either a Houston Texans loss against the Las Vegas Raiders, or an Indianapolis Colts loss to Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers. Let's take a look at what went down in Cleveland on Sunday.
Unfortunately, the Judkins injury was a major headline from this matchup.
Shortly before halftime, the running back was hit low while attempting to make a catch in the backfield. He remained on the turf for several minutes and was in obvious pain. Ultimately, the medical staff had to cart him off the field after placing a cast on his right leg. Judkins was quickly ruled out.
After the game, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Judkins fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle, per ESPN. His first NFL season is over.
The No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ohio State was Cleveland's leading rusher this season, having rushed for 805 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games played entering Sunday.
It was easy to predict that the ground game was going to play a large part in this matchup. The Bills entered Week 16 ranked top two in rushing yards, yards per rush and rushing touchdowns -- but here's the kicker: The Bills defense ranks bottom three in all three of those same categories.
Despite the loss, the rookie Sanders presented a problem in escaping the pocket, as he rushed for a career-high 49 yards on four carries. When Judkins went down, the Browns replaced him with another rookie in Raheim Sanders, who rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries. Trayveon Williams also chipped in with 17 yards on three rushes. It didn't really matter who the Browns plugged in at running back, they were making plays. In all, Cleveland rushed for 160 yards and one touchdown while averaging 5.2 yards per rush.
It's not tough to identify what the Bills' potential Achilles heel is when it comes to winning a Super Bowl this year. This defense struggles to stop the run. Allen doesn't have to worry about facing Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow -- and maybe not even Lamar Jackson this postseason. Still, could his defense fail him? Buffalo lives by the run and dies by the run -- on both sides of the football.
After Dawson Knox dropped a sure touchdown on a fourth-and-1 from the Browns' 11-yard line in the fourth quarter, Sanders had a chance to lead a game-winning drive. It was set up to be a major moment, as the Browns had a whole 2:47 to work with. However, Sanders took an eight-yard sack, followed by an intentional grounding penalty at the 1-yard line. That set up a third-and-32 that the Browns offense was unable to convert.
From there, the Bills got the ball back, picked up one first down and ran out the clock.
Cook took the NFL rushing lead with Jonathan Taylor not playing until Monday night. He's been an absolute monster this year, reeling off long touchdowns such as this one.
The Bills return to Buffalo next week, and will host the 10-5 Philadelphia Eagles -- who just clinched the NFC East with a win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday. As for the Browns, they will host Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday.
Buffalo moved the chains on a third-and-short, and run out the clock. Browns cover the double-digit spread, but the Bills win their 11th game.
The Browns' potential game-winning drive did not get off to a hot start, as Sanders was called for intentional grounding at the 1-yard line on a second-and-long. It was initially ruled a safety, but reversed. Browns will punt after failing to convert a third-and-32.
1:55 remaining. Browns have two timeouts.
After Dawson Knox dropped what would have been a game-sealing TD on fourth down, the Browns have a chance to win the game. Shedeur Sanders and Co. take over at their own 12-yard line with 2:47 remaining in the fourth quarter down three points.
Could this be the turning point in this game? Shedeur Sanders is SACKED on fourth-and-2.
Buffalo's offense is looking flat! Josh Allen and Co. just went three-and-out after a 1-yard James Cook run, an incomplete pass deep to Brandin Cooks and a Carson Schwesinger sack.
Browns trail by three points with seven minutes remaining!
A successful eight-play, 43-yard drive results in a 41-yard field goal for the Browns. I will say, any running back they plug in is finding success against Buffalo. Raheim Sanders has rushed 11 times for 42 yards and caught a pass for four yards, while Trayveon Williams has rushed for 17 yards and caught four passes for 38 yards.
Facing a fourth-and-4 from the Browns' 33-yard line, Sean McDermott elected to keep his offense on the field. He clearly was not confident in his new kicker, Badgley. Josh Allen's pass attempt falls incomplete.
Browns take over down six points early in the fourth quarter.
In a weird turn of events, the NFL went back and gave Myles Garrett half a sack on that first-half play where it looked like Mason Graham touched Josh Allen down.
Garrett is now half a sack away from tying the single-season record, which is 22.5, and one full sack away from owning it.
Cleveland isn't going away quietly. Shedeur Sanders just led a 14-play, 67-yard drive that was capped by a Harold Fannin Jr. rushing TD from the 1-yard line. It's his second TD of the game.
For the Browns, Raheim Sanders has come in at running back and rushed 10 times for 40 yards.
BUF 23
CLE 17
1:36 remaining in the third quarter
Everything is coming up Bills right now. Shedeur Sanders had a pass attempt tipped up in the air by Joey Bosa, and intercepted by DaQuan Jones.
First downs: BUF 12 CLE 12
Total yards: BUF 197 CLE 174
Third downs: BUF 1-2 CLE 4-6
TOP: BUF 12:41 CLE 17:19
Josh Allen 6/7 86 yards
Shedeur Sanders 11/16 103 yards 1 TD 1 INT
James Cook 9 carries 100 yards 2 TDs
Shedeur Sanders 3 carries 35 yards
Quinshon Judkins (ruled out with leg injury) 8 carries 22 yards
Khalil Shakir 2 catches 27 yards
Harold Fannin Jr. 3 catches 28 yards 1 TD
Bills QB Josh Allen limped to the locker room shortly before halftime. The reigning NFL MVP looked like he was favoring his right ankle or leg.
The Browns' rookie RB is down and in pain after he was hit low while making a catch on a swing pass. The cart is coming out on the field.
This Bills offense is looking pretty unstoppable right now. Buffalo goes 68 yards on seven plays, and James Cook punches in his second TD of the day.
He has rushed nine times for 100 yards and two TDs.
BUF 20
CLE 10
2:23 remaining in the second quarter
We predicted before this game that running the ball would be important. Shedeur Sanders has really made an impact with his legs, rushing for 35 yards on three carries.
Sanders felt the need to leave the game on a third-and-goal due to a bloodied pinkie finger. Dillon Gabriel came in and was sacked.
Szmyt is good from 24 yards out, so it's 13-10 Bills with 5:38 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bills offense went to work following the Browns INT, and Josh Allen led Buffalo 61 yards down the field on nine plays. This time, it was Ty Johnson that found the end zone from 2 yards out.
However, the Badgley XP was NO GOOD. Buffalo leads 13-7
It looked like the Browns were putting together another impressive drive, but that was ended by a Jordan Poyer INT.
Shedeur Sanders thew a pass to Quinshon Judkins, who couldn't reel it in. The ball popped up high in the air, and was intercepted by the Bills. Sanders threw it behind Judkins, too high and too hard.
The Bills' first drive was very clearly the "James Cook drive." He rushed 3 times for 67 yards, including this 44-yard touchdown.
We had concerns about the Browns' run defense entering this matchup, and they have struggled early.
Talk about making a statement. Shedeur Sanders just led the Browns offense 69 yards on seven plays, and hit fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr. for a 13-yard TD!
This Browns offense moved the ball with ease against Buffalo, racking up five first downs while facing just one third down.
Josh Allen has 299 career total TDs in 8 NFL seasons (220 passing, 77 rushing, 2 receiving)
It marks the most through eight and nine seasons in NFL history. Today, he could become the quickest in NFL history (126th game) to score 300 total touchdowns. The current record is Aaron Rodgers at 134 games.
