Buffalo Bills (7-3) – Cleveland Browns (3-7): 31 – 23
Finally a quiet match for Josh Allen. After three games with two interceptions each in a row, the Buffalo pitcher did not have to force his talent against Cleveland this Sunday in Detroit (18/27, 196 yards, 1 touchdown). Allen was able to rely on a hard-hitting running game (32 carries, 172 yards) to quietly control the game.
He was also well helped by the many opposing errors. Fumble, drops, failed conversions, blocked field goal, the Browns shot themselves several times in the foot despite the interesting match by Jacoby Brissett (28/41, 316 yards, 3 TDs) and a correct first half (13-10 ). With a sixth loss in seven games, Cleveland is probably saying goodbye to the playoffs.
A flash… then night
In a game played under the dome of Ford Field in Detroit due to snowfall in Buffalo, the Browns started with a bang, completely in control of the game in the first quarter. It is thus necessary to wait half of the second quarter to see the Bills find a first attempt, and Buffalo owes its field goal (7-3) only to a missed punt of their adversaries.
The problem is that the Browns do not take the opportunity to take so much margin. After a perfect drive concluded by an untenable Amari Cooper (8 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TDs) to start the match, Cleveland tripped over the carpet in the redzone. Two consecutive drops force visitors to opt for a field goal, before the start of the big anything (3-10).
Because the Browns then completely scuttled in attack. Fumble, punt, failure on fourth attempt (with two QB sneak failures from 3&1), field goal blocked in the redzone after the drop of a new touchdown… Kevin Stefanski’s players had opportunities, but they wasted them . When Amari Cooper found the endzone 4 minutes from time (28-16), the game was over, even if the Bills got scared on the onside kick following Donovan People-Jones’ final touchdown (31-23).
Stefon Diggs has entered the chat.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/lVy8VinPeo
—Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 20, 2022
An AFC is always tighter
Because opposite, the Bills ended up finding their rhythm After 2 punts on their first 3 possessions, they scored on their 7 remaining possessions (5 field goals and 2 touchdowns by Stefon Diggs and Devin Singletary). They notably crushed Cleveland on the ground, finding 171 yards in the race, including only 7 for Allen, preserved.
Enough to put your head back in place, get your bearings in Detroit before facing the Lions next week, and stick to the crazy pace of the AFC East. At 7-3, the Bills are second, with only one victory ahead of the Jets and the Patriots (6-4).
