The Cleveland Browns came into their Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills with a battered offensive line and a backfield running on fumes. But despite all that, they managed to put together a gutsy offensive performance that showed flashes of resilience and creativity - even if it wasn’t enough to come away with a win.
Let’s break down the offensive snap counts and performances that stood out in what turned into a surprisingly competitive showing, given the circumstances.
Offense Finds a Rhythm - But Costly Tips Prove Costlier
The Browns outgained the Bills 294 yards to 259 and dominated time of possession, holding the ball for over 35 minutes. That’s not just a stat - it’s a sign that this offense, even with its patchwork line, was able to control the pace of the game. Cleveland also converted 8 of 14 third downs, a 57.1% clip that speaks to strong execution in key moments.
But two tipped interceptions - one off Quinshon Judkins’ hands on a slightly behind throw, and another deflected at the line - were momentum killers. The first stalled a promising drive, and the second flipped the field and led to points for Buffalo. Those are the kinds of breaks that can swing a close game, and they did.
Shedeur Sanders: Poise, Progress, and Pockets of Potential
Shedeur Sanders continues to show signs that he belongs. His stat line won’t wow you, but his composure in the pocket and ability to keep the offense on schedule stood out again. He’s not forcing throws, he’s staying within structure, and he’s showing a level of maturity that’s easy to overlook in a young quarterback.
That said, the decision-making still needs to speed up. There were moments where holding the ball just a beat too long led to pressure or missed opportunities.
Sanders earned a 64.0 grade from PFF - seventh-best on the offense - which feels about right. It was a solid outing, but the question remains: is it enough to convince the Browns to pass on a top QB in the draft?
Running Back Room: Down to the Last Men Standing
The backfield has been decimated, and the loss of Quinshon Judkins to an ankle injury and broken leg is a tough blow. The silver lining is that his knee appears to be okay, which gives hope for a full return in 2026.
With Judkins and the rest of the regulars sidelined, Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders stepped in. Sanders ran with authority, showing some downhill pop, while Williams flashed as a receiver and held his own in pass protection - something that’s been quietly valuable the past few weeks. Williams graded out at 68.0 (fifth-best on offense), while Judkins, before the injury, posted a 71.0 - second-best on the team.
Wide Receivers: Quiet Through the Air, Loud on the Ground
The Browns’ wideouts didn’t light up the stat sheet in the passing game, but they played a bigger role in the run game - especially on designed motion plays.
Malachi Corley was used more frequently on jet sweeps this week, and it paid off. He carried the ball three times for 30 yards, averaging 10 yards per carry, and added two catches for 11 yards. Corley was the third-highest graded offensive player for Cleveland at 69.8, showing that when he gets the ball in space, good things tend to happen.
Isaiah Bond’s 21-yard reverse was another creative wrinkle, though the stat sheet logged it as receiving yards due to a lateral sequence. Either way, it was a chunk play that helped stretch the Bills’ defense horizontally.
Here’s a quick look at the snap distribution:
- Jerry Jeudy: 48 snaps (73%) - 3 catches, 12 yards on 4 targets
- Isaiah Bond: 32 snaps (48%) - 21 receiving yards on a lateral; 1 carry for -1 yard
- Cedric Tillman: 31 snaps (47%) - 1 catch, 8 yards
- Malachi Corley: 30 snaps (45%) - 2 catches, 11 yards; 3 carries, 30 yards
- Gage Larvadain: 5 snaps (8%) - No recorded stats
The production wasn’t eye-popping, but the Browns are clearly trying to manufacture touches for their playmakers in unconventional ways - and it’s working in spurts.
Tight End: Fannin Finds the End Zone
Harold Fannin didn’t rack up a ton of volume, but he made his touches count. He scored twice - one through the air and one on a goal-line rushing attempt - and continues to be a red zone asset. Fannin graded out at 68.7, fourth-best among Browns offensive players this week.
He’s become a bit of a Swiss Army knife in this offense, and the coaching staff is finding ways to get him involved in high-leverage situations.
Offensive Line: Patchwork Group Holds Its Own
Let’s be clear - this was not a dominant performance from the offensive line. But considering the injuries and the shuffling up front, it was a respectable effort.
All five starting linemen - Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, KT Leveston, Teven Jenkins, and Luke Wypler - played 100% of the snaps (66 in total). Zak Zinter and Adin Huntington saw limited action in relief.
Teven Jenkins had the most polarizing performance of the group. His pass-blocking grade was a team-low 33.0, but his run-blocking?
An elite 84.0, which helped make him the Browns’ top-graded offensive player overall at 73.6. That duality has been a theme for Jenkins this season - dominant in the run game, shaky in pass protection.
Bitonio and Wypler were steady in pass pro but struggled to generate push in the run game. Robinson and Leveston flipped that script - better in the run game, but leaky in pass protection. Robinson, in particular, got beat on a critical 4th-and-2 play that effectively ended Cleveland’s comeback hopes.
Final Thoughts
This was a game where the Browns showed grit. The offense, despite missing key starters and facing a tough Bills defense, moved the ball, controlled the clock, and converted on third downs.
The creativity in the run game, especially with wide receivers, gave the unit a different dimension. And while the tipped interceptions hurt, there’s a lot the Browns can build on moving forward.
The quarterback question still looms large, and injuries continue to pile up. But this team is still fighting - and that counts for something as they head into the final stretch of the season.