Week 16: Browns Searching for Answers, Bills Chasing the AFC
It’s Week 16 in the NFL - somehow. The season has flown by, and for the Cleveland Browns, it’s been a rollercoaster filled with more valleys than peaks. They opened the year with Joe Flacco under center, and now, with three games left, the Browns are staring down another tough matchup - this time against the Buffalo Bills.
Cleveland enters Sunday on a three-game losing streak - their third such skid this season - and while the playoff picture is long out of reach, there are still storylines worth watching. The Browns are in evaluation mode now, both on the field and possibly off it. The front office has some big decisions looming, and this afternoon’s game could provide more data points for those conversations.
A Tale of Two Teams
Buffalo is still very much in the hunt. They’re chasing a division title and fighting to stay near the top of the AFC playoff race.
The Browns? They’re chasing answers.
At 3-11, Cleveland has long been eliminated from postseason contention, and now the focus shifts to development, evaluation, and maybe even a little damage control.
The stadium might be in Cleveland, but don’t be surprised if it sounds like a neutral-site game. Buffalo is just a four-hour drive away - traffic depending - and Bills Mafia travels well. This could be one of those games where the visiting crowd makes its presence felt.
Shedeur Sanders: A Work in Progress
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders continues to take his lumps. Since making his NFL debut on November 16, Sanders has shown flashes of potential, but consistency remains elusive.
If he had enough attempts to qualify for league rankings, his 52.2% completion rate would sit dead last. That’s not where you want to be as a quarterback in today’s NFL, but it’s also not entirely unexpected for a rookie thrown into a tough situation.
This is trial by fire - or as some in Cleveland have put it, “Tim Couch territory.” The Browns are asking Sanders to learn on the job behind a patchwork offensive line, with limited weapons and a team that’s struggled to find rhythm all season.
But there’s value in reps, even in a lost season. Every snap is a chance to grow, and Sanders will be looking to improve his timing, accuracy, and decision-making as he continues to build a foundation for the future.
Myles Garrett Still Chasing History
While the offense tries to find its footing, the defense still has a star worth watching. Myles Garrett remains a force off the edge, and he’s inching closer to potentially making sack history. Even in a down year for the team, Garrett has been a bright spot - a relentless presence who commands double-teams and still finds ways to disrupt.
If he can make a push over these final three games, Garrett could find himself in the record books. And for a team short on wins, individual milestones like that still matter. They’re a reminder of the elite talent Cleveland has - and a reason to keep tuning in.
Joel Bitonio: The Steady Veteran
One of the few constants in Cleveland this season has been guard Joel Bitonio. Now in his 12th year, Bitonio remains the rock of the offensive line - a stabilizing force amid a unit that’s been anything but stable. Injuries have turned the line into a revolving door, and now with right tackle Jack Conklin landing on injured reserve, Bitonio’s leadership becomes even more important down the stretch.
Conklin’s injury not only ends his season, but it could also mark the end of his tenure in Cleveland. It’s another reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL - and how critical depth and durability are in the trenches.
Draft Watch Begins
With the playoffs out of reach, attention naturally shifts to the NFL Draft. The Browns’ scouting department will have eyes on several key matchups this bowl season.
In the Tulane vs. Ole Miss game, expect Cleveland to monitor linebacker Jack Hollifield and wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling.
Meanwhile, in the Miami vs. Texas A&M clash, wideout C.J.
Daniels and offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III are names to watch.
It’s early in the process, but the Browns will be evaluating every position - especially quarterback. If they decide to stick with Sanders, the offense will look one way.
If they pivot to someone like Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore in the 2026 Draft, it could look very different. These next few games will help shape that decision.
Around the League
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders continue to struggle offensively. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has been largely ineffective, and the team’s 31-0 loss to the Eagles in Week 15 was a low point in a season full of them.
In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers are hoping a healthy receiving corps can push them to an NFC South title. With Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan back alongside Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka, the Bucs have the firepower - now it’s about execution.
And in Miami, the Dolphins have benched Tua Tagovailoa, signaling a major shift and the start of a rebuild. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that had high hopes not long ago.
Final Thoughts
For the Browns, this isn’t about playoff positioning or scoreboard watching. It’s about finding out who they are, who they can count on, and who they might need to move on from.
The Bills are a tough opponent, but also a measuring stick. And for players like Sanders and Garrett, these final games are more than just formalities - they’re auditions, opportunities, and in Garrett’s case, a shot at history.
It’s Week 16. The stakes may be different, but the stories are still compelling.