Cleveland, Ohio (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills can improve to 11-4 on the season with a victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.
Buffalo can also clinch a playoff berth with a victory, coupled with a loss or tie by either the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts this weekend.
In order for the Bills to get the victory, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Don't let Garrett wreck the game
Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett is just 1.5 sacks shy of the all-time single-season record shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. With 21.5 sacks through 14 games, Garrett is having one of the greatest seasons of all-time, and can impact a game on his own.
Garrett is also second in the NFL with 35 quarterback hurries, and has three forced fumbles on the season.
The Bills have to be very aware of where Garrett is at all times, and have a plan to make sure he doesn't have the kind of day that slows down the Bills offense, and especially doesn't create negative plays they can't overcome.
Tackle!
Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has 805 yards on the season. Incredibly, 760 of those have come after contact. That means Judkins is making a lot happen on his own, including breaking tackles.
The Bills have had issues with tackling this season, especially near the line of scrimmage against running backs. They absolutely have to make sure they get Judkins on the ground as quickly and early as possible in this game and not let him have any ability to break the kinds of long runs they gave up last week in New England, and several other times this season.
3.) Don't lose the game on special teams
The Browns pulled off a huge upset of the Green Bay Packers back in Week 3. In that game, they blocked a field goal that set up their own game-winning kick.
The Bills are without their kicker, Matt Prater, and their punter and holder Mitch Wishnowsky is dealing with a right knee injury, but will play.
The Bills have been excellent in the kick return department, especially as of late. Ray Davis is leading the league with a 32.4-yard per-return average. However, they are second-to-last in the NFL with just a 5.6 yard per-punt return average.
Excellent return man Mecole Hardman has been re-activated to the roster after missing four games with a calf injury, but in the lone game he played for the Bills this season, he muffed a point, as well.
Wind could be a factor Sunday, and a big play made, or a costly mistake, by either special teams unit could impact the game.
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