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.
Why the Bills won
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.
Why the Browns lost
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.
Turning point
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.
Play of the game
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.
What's next
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.