Cleveland, Ohio (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills closed out the road portion of their regular season schedule, and only managed to inch by the Cleveland Browns, 23-20, on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Shedeur Sanders and the Browns offense wasted no time going down the field to score, as he connected with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
The Bills responded quickly on their first offensive drive, as running back James Cook weaved his way through defenders and found the end zone from 44 yards out.
Cleveland started to drive into Buffalo territory on its next drive, but the Bills came away with a turnover off a tip drill. After a Sanders pass was just a bit off the mark for running back Quinshon Judkins, the ball squirted up in the air for safety Jordan Poyer, who came down with the interception.
The Bills offense allowed the drive to trickle into the second quarter, where Buffalo was able to take its first lead of the game with a two-yard touchdown run from Ty Johnson. The Bills took a 13-7 lead after new kicker Michael Badgley missed his extra point attempt by striking the right upright.
The Browns would drive down the field after their first possession down but be held by the Bills defense and settle for a 24-yard field cutting into the Bills lead 13-10.
Allen and the offense would put together a drive of their own when they came back onto the field with Cook finding the endzone again this time after a three-yard rush extending the Bills lead.
The Browns would be setup in good field position to attempt a field goal as time was expiring in the first half but was unsuccessful as both teams headed into the locker with the Bills up 20-10.
After receiving the second half kickoff the Bills were unable to put together a drive but a DaQuan Jones interception would give the offense the ball back as they were only able to put up three points with a 41-yard field goal from Badgley.
Sanders and the Browns offense would come back onto the field and respond with a one-yard Fannin touchdown to inch closer to the Bills lead 23-17.
A failed drive from the Bills offense would set up the Browns to try and regain their lead since the first quarter but the Bills defense had other plans holding them to a 41-yard field goal.
Each team's defense would keep the offenses out of the endzone with the Bills defense coming up with a big fourth down stop to give the ball back to the offense with five minutes left in the game.
Both offenses would be kept out of the endzone the entirety of the fourth quarter as the Bills would come out with a much needed victory in Cleveland with a score of 23-20
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 CLEVELAND: Browns Touchdown (10:42) - Harold Fannin Jr. 13-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders. (Andre Szmyt's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:18
- 7-7 TIE: Bills Touchdown (7:47) - James Cook 44-yard rushing touchdown. (Michael Badgley's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:55
Second Quarter:
- 13-7 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (12:54) - Ty Johnson 2-yard rushing touchdown. (Michael Badgley's extra point attempt hits the right upright)
Drive info: 9 plays, 61 yards, 5:01
- 13-10 BUFFALO: Browns Field Goal (5:38) - Andre Szmyt's 24-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 13 plays, 65 yards, 7:16
- 20-10 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (2:23) - James Cook 3-yard rushing touchdown. (Michael Badgley's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 68 yards, 3:15
Third Quater:
- 23-10 BUFFALO: Bills Field Goal (9:37) - Michael Badgley's 41-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:02
- 23-17 BUFFALO: Browns Touchdown (1:36) - Harold Fannin Jr. 1-yard rushing touchdown (Andre Szmyt's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 14 plays, 67 yards, 8:01
Fourth Quarter:
- 23-20 BUFFALO: Browns Field Goal (8:46) - Andre Szmyt's 41-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:44
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SKYWORKDS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills return home for the final two games of the regular season, starting next Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 4:25 p.m. on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.