Browns vs. Bills: Can Cleveland Spoil Buffalo's Surge and Make Some History of Their Own?
The Browns are back at home this Sunday, and while the playoff picture may have faded from view, there’s still plenty on the line in downtown Cleveland. The Buffalo Bills are rolling into town with momentum and division title hopes, while the Browns are hoping to stop the bleeding and give fans something to cheer about - especially with a little history potentially on deck.
Let’s break down everything you need to know ahead of this AFC matchup.
Where Things Stand
Cleveland enters the game at 3-11, having dropped three straight and six of their last seven. It’s been a season defined by injuries, inconsistency, and a quarterback carousel that hasn’t done the offense any favors. With the 2026 NFL Draft quietly looming in the background, the Browns are looking for bright spots wherever they can find them.
Buffalo, on the other hand, is heating up at the right time. Winners of four of their last five, the Bills are applying serious pressure on the Patriots in the AFC East. With Josh Allen playing some of his best football of the season, Buffalo is looking to keep the momentum going - and Cleveland might just be the next stepping stone.
Offensive Struggles Continue in Cleveland
For the Browns, the offense has been stuck in neutral. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has had a rough go of it, posting a league-worst 16.9 QBR across his four starts. The numbers back up what the eye test has shown: this offense just hasn’t found its rhythm, regardless of who’s under center.
Cleveland is averaging 16 points per game with Sanders at the helm - only marginally different from the 16.2 they averaged in the other 10 games. It’s been a tough stretch, and facing a Bills team that thrives against rookie quarterbacks (9-3 since 2019, allowing just 13.6 points per game in those matchups) isn’t exactly the ideal recipe for a breakout.
But there is one player to watch on the Cleveland side: rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. He leads all rookies with 66 receptions and needs just one more to set a new franchise record for catches by a rookie. In a season where offensive highlights have been few and far between, Fannin’s emergence has been a genuine silver lining.
Myles Garrett Eyes History
If there’s a reason for Browns fans to stick around in the cold this Sunday, it’s to see if Myles Garrett can etch his name into the NFL record books. The All-Pro defensive end is just 1.5 sacks away from setting the league’s single-season sack record - and with the lights on at home, don’t be surprised if he turns it up a notch.
Garrett’s been the heart of this defense all year long, and even in a season that hasn’t gone Cleveland’s way, his dominance has been undeniable. If he gets to Josh Allen on Sunday, it could be a moment fans remember long after the final whistle.
Buffalo’s Ground Game vs. Cleveland’s Run D
Here’s a matchup to watch: the NFL’s top rushing attack against a defense that’s been leaking yards on the ground.
Buffalo leads the league with 158.5 rushing yards per game, and they’ve been leaning into that identity down the stretch. Cleveland, meanwhile, has slipped to 14th in rushing defense, allowing 110.1 yards per game - but that number doesn’t tell the full story. Over the past two weeks, the Browns have surrendered 326 rushing yards and 12 explosive runs, according to Pro Football Focus.
That’s not the kind of trend you want to bring into a game against a physical, downhill rushing team like the Bills. If Cleveland can’t tighten things up in the trenches, it could be a long afternoon.
Josh Allen in the Clutch
Few quarterbacks have been better in the fourth quarter this season than Josh Allen. He leads the league with 14 fourth-quarter touchdowns, a 116.4 passer rating, and over 1,000 passing yards in the final frame. He’s also looking to become the first Buffalo quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in three straight games.
This will be Allen’s third career game against the Browns - and Cleveland will be starting their third different quarterback in those matchups. That stat says a lot about the instability on one side of the ball, and the continuity on the other.
Buffalo’s tight ends have also become a major factor. Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid, and Jackson Hawes have combined for 18 catches, 217 yards, and four touchdowns in the past two games. That trio could be a problem for a Browns defense that’s already dealing with injuries and fatigue.
Injuries and Absences
Cleveland will be without several key players this week, including right tackle Jack Conklin (concussion), tight end David Njoku (knee), cornerback Denzel Ward (calf), and quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles). That’s a lot of talent on the shelf, and it’s forced younger players into the spotlight.
On the Buffalo side, they’ll be missing offensive tackle Chase Lundt, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, and kicker Matt Prater. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman and cornerback Cam Lewis are both questionable.
Game Details
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
- TV: CBS (Ian Eagle, JJ Watt, Evan Washburn)
- Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX, 1300 AM La Mega (Spanish)
- Weather: 26°F, partly cloudy, 3% chance of snow, winds at 18 mph
Cleveland will be rocking the brown jerseys with white pants - a classic look for a team hoping to give fans something to cheer about in the final stretch of the season.
History Between the Teams
- Last Meeting: Bills won 31-23 in Week 11 of the 2022 season
- First Meeting: Browns won 27-10 on November 26, 1972
- All-Time Series: Cleveland leads 13-10
- At Home: Browns have taken three of the last four in Cleveland
Final Word
The Browns may not be in the playoff hunt, but this game still matters - for the players, for the fans, and for the future. Whether it’s watching a rookie tight end chase a franchise record, or witnessing Myles Garrett make history in front of a home crowd, there are storylines worth tuning in for.
And for Buffalo? This is about keeping the pressure on in the AFC East and proving they’re peaking at the right time. The Bills are playing with purpose, and they’ll be looking to make a statement.
Sunday in Cleveland may be cold, but it won’t be short on intrigue.