Bills-Browns Preview Capsule
BUFFALO (6-2) at CLEVELAND (2-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
OPENING LINE - Browns by 3
RECORD VS. SPREAD - Bills 5-3, Browns 2-6
SERIES RECORD - Browns lead 12-9
LAST MEETING - Bills beat Browns 33-13, Dec. 18, 2016
LAST WEEK - Bills beat Redskins 24-9; Browns lost to Broncos 24-19
AP PRO32 RANKING - Bills No. 11, Browns No. 26
BILLS OFFENSE - OVERALL (23), RUSH (11), PASS (26).
BILLS DEFENSE - OVERALL (3), RUSH (19), PASS (3).
BROWNS OFFENSE - OVERALL (19), RUSH (13), PASS (17).
BROWNS DEFENSE - OVERALL (18), RUSH (30), PASS (6).
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - One of NFL's biggest surprises this season, Bills off to best start since 1993- when they were 7-1. ... While record impressive, weak schedule has contributed as Buffalo's six wins have come against teams with combined 9-42 record. ... Bills trailed or were tied in each of first five victories before finally leading wire-to-wire against Washington. ... Bills QB Josh Allen has become more of pocket passer in second season. His 10 TD passes match total in 12 games as rookie last season. ... After throwing six interceptions in first four games, Allen has just one with seven TD passes in past four. ... Allen has been credited with three fourth-quarter comebacks and four game-winning drives this season. ... Bills rank first in NFL in red-zone scoring (71.4 percent). ... Bills have limited 12 straight opponents to one passing TD or less, league's longest current streak. ... Bills allowing just 16.4 points per game. ... Bills RB Frank Gore is 85 yards rushing from passing Barry Sanders (15,269) for third on NFL career list. ... With 98 career TDs, Gore two short of becoming 25th player to hit 100, tying Franco Harris and Curtis Martin. ... Bills WR John Brown has at least four catches and 50 yards receiving in eight straight games, matching Bills longest streak set by Hall of Famer Andre Reed (1988-89). ... Disappointing Browns have dropped four straight games. ... First-year coach Freddie Kitchens under scrutiny, pressure as talented team not living up to expectations. ... Browns 0-3 at home, and will play next three at FirstEnergy Stadium. ... Browns RB Kareem Hunt returns after serving eight-game NFL suspension for two physical off-field altercations. Hunt led league in rushing in 2017 as rookie with Chiefs. Hunt likely to play alongside Nick Chubb in backfield, giving QB Baker Mayfield two versatile options. ... Mayfield tied for NFL lead with 12 interceptions. He didn't throw one last week and Browns didn't have turnover for first time this season. ... Mayfield not playing with same confidence he showed in 2018, when he set league rookie record with 27 TD passes. Mayfield missed open WR Odell Beckham Jr. on critical late fourth-down play last week. ... Browns scored just one TD on five trips into red zone vs. Broncos. ... Browns K Austin Seibert kicked four FGs last week and is 14 of 14 this season. ... Browns cut down penalties last week, committing just five after averaging 10 in first seven games. ... Browns S Damarious Randall returned to practice this week after missing two games with hamstring injury. Randall's return helps after team released starter Jermaine Whitehead following his profane, threatening social media rant following loss at Denver. ... Fantasy Tip: Beckham has just one TD, so he's overdue for big game. Mayfield knows Beckham needs to used more inside opponents' 20. He had five catches for 87 yards last week.
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