The Buffalo Bills' drought is over, snapping a two-game losing streak with a 31-23 "home win" at Ford Field in Detroit after the game was relocated, thanks to too much snow in Orchard Park. After trailing 10-3 early, the Bills ripped off 25 consecutive points from the end of the first half through the fourth quarter on the strength of four field goals, a 5-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs and a 5-yard touchdown run from Devin Singletary. That surge prevented Allen from losing a third consecutive start for the first time in his career. He played turnover-free football for the first time since Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, their last game before their Week 7 bye week.
Buffalo improves to 7-3, allowing it to match the Miami Dolphins' record through 10 games with the Fins on bye in Week 11. The Bills defense that allowed 33 points a week ago in an overtime loss against the Minnesota Vikings absolutely stifled the Browns on Sunday, shutting them down for most of the second half. One reason can be credited to the return of safety Jordan Poyer, back after missing Weeks 9 and 10 with an elbow injury. Buffalo is now a perfect 6-0 this season when the 2021 First-Team All-Pro plays, and 1-3 when he doesn't.
Kicker Tyler Bass had the most accurate game of his career, making all six of his field-goal attempts, including a 56-yarder. Those six field goals tied the Bills' franchise record for the most made field goals in a game with Bass' six-field goal outing in Week 7 of the 2020 season at the New York Jets as well as Steve Christie's six field-goal output in Week 8 of the 1996 season, also against the Jets. However, Bass' efforts on Sunday make him the only kicker in Bills history to connect on all of his field goals in a game with six makes.
The Browns started out hot, scoring a touchdown on the game's opening drive with a 25-yard scoring strike to Amari Cooper, his first road receiving touchdown and his sixth off the season. However, Cleveland only mustered a 32-yard field goal while having another kick blocked for most of the afternoon after that drive. Cooper came through for another touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter in the back left corner of the end zone, the opposite side of his first score. His 113 receiving yards on eight catches mark his second game with over 100 yards in his last three games.
Running back Nick Chubb, who entered Week 11 as the NFL's rushing touchdowns leader with 11, was kept out of the end zone as he totaled 19 rushing yards on 14 carries with another 48 receiving yards on three catches. Brissett also connected with receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones for a third passing touchdown with 25 seconds remaining for his first game with three touchdown passes since the 2019 season when he was the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback.
In the end, Brissett -- 28 of 41 passing for 324 yards and three passing touchdowns -- outdueled Allen --18 of 27 passing for 197 yards, and a passing touchdown –, but the Bills out-rushed Chubb and the Browns, 171-80. The Bills will have another game at Ford Field in Week 12, facing the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. The Browns fall to 3-7 after their sixth loss in the last seven games and will host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what may be their last game before quarterback Deshaun Watson returns from his 11-game suspension.
The Bills defense looked a lot more like the dominating unit of the season's first nine weeks, keeping the Browns out of the end zone for two thirds of Sunday's game. The Bills didn't have any red zone turnovers for the first time in three weeks as Allen played turnover-free football for the first time since their bye week. Buffalo probably would've preferred a few of Tyler Bass' six field goals to have been touchdowns, but the consistent scoring did the trick against a struggling Cleveland squad.
After Cleveland took a 10-3 lead, their next six drives ended as follows: fumble, punt, end of half, turnover on downs, blocked field goal, and another punt. That drought combined with the Bills sustained scoring doomed them despite their two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Brissett showcased his limitations, unable to carry the offense with the Bills selling out to shutdown Nick Chubb and their ground game.
The Bills had struggled for the bulk of the first half, totaling six points. Stefon Diggs didn't have any targets, a likely contributing factor to the futility. However, Diggs' first target, a 5-yard touchdown with 14 seconds remaining, gave Buffalo the lead entering the half and allowed them to have the momentum to extend their lead once more to start the second half. Those 10 straight points set the tone for the Bills' takeover in the final 30 minutes.
The play of the game is the best show of athleticism that occurred at Ford Field on Sunday. Browns tight end David Njoku clean hurdle at the end of a 21-yard catch-and-run was the most jaw-dropping play in an otherwise mundane contest.
The Bills don't have to go anywhere as they will face the Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day. The Browns have another tough matchup in Week 12, facing No. 12 Tom Brady and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in Cleveland.
Jacoby Brissett has his first three-touchdown game since being the Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback in 2019, but the Bills triumph with an eight-point win, 31-23. The Bills scored 25 consecutive points from the end of the second quarter through the middle of the fourth quarter.
Tyler Bass ties his career-high with his sixth made field goal while also tying the Bills franchise-record for most field goals made in a game. 31-16 Bills lead with 1:56 left to play.
Amari Cooper hauls in his second touchdown of the game in the back left corner of the end zone, pulling the Browns to within 12, 28-16 with about four-and-a-half minutes remaining. Cleveland HC Kevin Stefanski went for two despite an extra point sufficing to make the game a two-score game, 28-17. However, Cooper stepped out of bounds before hauling in what initially looked like a successful two-point conversion. Their onside kick attempt did not work, so the Bills have the ball up 12 with four minutes to go.
Tyler Bass knocks through his fifth field goal of the day, the second-most he's had in a game of his career, from 28 yards out. Buffalo has scored 25 unanswered points as they lead 28-10 with 6:45 left to play.
Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass drains his fourth field goal of the day, this one from 49 yards out, to extend the Bills lead to 15, 25-10. The Bills have scored 22 consecutive points since the end of the first half, flipping the score from a 10-3 deficit to a 25-10 advantage. Early fourth quarter, 13:20 left in the game.
The Bills block Browns kicker Cade York's 34-yard field goal to end their six-play drive. Score remains 22-10 Bills with 1:37 left in the third quarter.
Browns tight end David Njoku just pulled off a clean hurdle of a Buffalo defender to cap a 21-yard catch-and-run.
After Dawson Knox's fumble is overturned thanks to his arm and backside hitting the ground before the ball came loose. The Bills capitalize with a Devin Singletary five-yard rushing touchdown two plays later. They have scored 19 points on their last four possessions and now lead 22-10 with 4:08 to play.
The Bills stuff the 6'4, 235-pound Jacoby Brissett on consecutive quarterback sneaks on third and fourth down. Curious why the Browns didn't opt to give the football to Nick Chubb on either of those plays as their drive ends with a turnover on downs. 16-10 Bills with 5:49 left in the third quarter.
A holding penalty pushes the Bills back, but that not an issue for kicker Tyler Bass. He knocked through his third field goal of the day, this time from 56 yards out. The kick looked like it would've been good from 60. Bills get 10 points between the end of the first half and start of the second half. 16-10 Bills with 9:42 in the third quarter.
Stefon Diggs, with 27 receiving yards on Allen's last three passes, has topped 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth straight season and each of his first three with Buffalo. Safe to say the Bills are very happy with their trade acquisition.
The Browns crossed midfield, but they were unable to advance further and had to punt following a false start penalty. 10-6 Browns with two minutes left in the half. Josh Allen will have the ball on his own 22 with all three timeouts and a chance to go two-for-one, getting a score to end the half and another one when starting ght third quarter with the ball.
A huge holding penalty on fullback Reggie Gilliam negated a big run by Devin Singletary that would've had Buffalo on the one. Instead, the Bills settle for another field goal, which Tyler Bass drains from 36 yards out. 10-6 Browns with 4:54 left in the half.
Huge mistake by the Browns as their backup center Hjalte Froholdt and Jacoby Brissett fumble a snap exchange, and Bills linebacker Matt Milano recovers the fumble at midfield. The Browns were in control of the game, but now Buffalo has great starting field position, still looking for a first down. Browns lead 10-3 with 8:17 left in the half.
After no sacks last week against the Dolphins, Myles Garrett comes through for a huge third-and-seven sack of Josh Allen. 10-3 Browns with 11:49 left in the half.
A couple drops on the goal line lead to the Bills settling for three. Cade York's 32-yarder is good, 10-3 Browns lead the Bills with 14:05 left in the half.
Tyler Bass connects on a 42-yard field goal. Allen missed Gabe Davis on third down over the middle. 7-3 Browns with 3:32 left in the opening quarter. If I were the Bills, I would call all the plays possible to get Stefon Diggs going.
A crucial holding penalty by running back Kareem Hunt stalls out the Browns' drive. Cleveland punts in front of their own goal line, which leads to Nyheim Hines returning the punt 28 yards to the Browns 32. Excellent starting field position for Allen and Co. on their second drive. 7-0 Browns.
Three Josh Allen passes, seven yards gained and Buffalo starts with a three-and-out. Following the trade acquisition of Nyheim Hines plus running backs Devin Singletary and James Books, the Bills have the resources to be a more balanced offense. That may be the key to getting back on track and trimming down on Allen's turnovers.
Amari Cooper hauls in his first road receiving touchdown of the season, his sixth of the season, as the Browns strike first. Great drive by quarterback Jacoby Brissett who went 4-4 passing with 54 passing yards and the touchdown along with a 22-yard scramble. Browns lead 7-0. Josh Allen and the Bills offense set to ttake the field for the first time next.
Nick Chubb makes his presence felt early with 20 scrimmage yards already on his first two touches.
The Bills allowed 33 points in Week 10 vs the Vikings after entering allowing an NFL-low 14.8 points per game. They were missing CB Tre'Davious White, CB Kaiir Elam, S Jordan Poyer and S Micah Hyde, which led to Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson going off for 10 catches, 193 receiving yards (his career-high), and a touchdown.
Bills Notable Secondary Injuries
INJURY STATUS
CB Tre'Davious White Knee Eligible to make season debut
CB Kaiir Elam Ankle Missed Week 10
S Jordan Poyer Elbow Missed Week 9-10
S Micah Hyde Neck Placed on IR after Week 2
>> All 4 DNP in Week 10 vs MIN (Justin Jefferson: 10 rec, 193 rec yds, TD)
The Bills are 5-0 with safety Jordan Poyer playing this season, but they are 1-3 when he doesn't play. He will play today against the Browns.
Bills With/Without Jordan Poyer This Season
WITH WITHOUT
W-L 5-0 1-3
Opp PPG 14.8 19.3
Opp passer rtg 68.9 83.3
Stefon Diggs has the most receptions (72) and receiving yards (985) through 9 games of a season in Bills franchise history.
Stefon Diggs This Season
NFL RANK
Rec 72 << 3rd
Rec yards 985 << 3rd
Rec TD 7 T-3rd
>> Most through 9 games in Bills franchise history
