Bills news: What stood out from Buffalo’s win vs. Cleveland Browns?

Observations, analysis, report cards and more from the Buffalo Bills’ 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16.

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What is the story about?

It wasn’t pretty, but the Buffalo Bills (11-4) found a way to hold off the upstart Cleveland Browns (3-12) Sunday afternoon. Thanks to a pair of rushing touchdowns by James Cook III and a defense that turned two Shedeur Sanders interceptions into 10 points, the Bills prevailed by a 23-20 score in Week 16.

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with observations and analysis from a game where the Bills started fast, watched as reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen limped off the field after suffering

a foot injury, but relied on a dominant pass defense and a stellar effort from defensive end Greg Rousseau to knock off the Browns.

Thoughts on Bills win over Browns

All of Bills Mafia held their collective breath when Josh Allen went down and was favoring one of his ankles right before halftime. And with good reason. Any serious injury to the reigning NFL MVP would seriously hurt Buffalo’s Super Bowl dreams. Thankfully, after limping off the field, Allen returned for the second half and didn’t appear to show any significant damage to his ankle.

What can be said about Sunday’s win? It was almost certainly Buffalo’s ugliest victory of the 2025 NFL season, but an ugly win is still much preferred to a pretty loss. Buffalo’s offense started fast, scoring touchdowns on all three of its first-half possessions, including a 44-yard touchdown run up the middle for Cook, who continues to assault the Bills’ single-season rushing record book.

Cook finished with 117 rushing yards, his ninth time eclipsing the century mark this year, averaging 7.3 yards per rush. He also found the end zone twice, upping his total to 12 on the year. Cook is now the NFL’s leader in rushing yards (1,532), the most for any Bills back since O.J. Simpson rushed for 1,817 yards in 14 games in 1975. Cook’s nine 100-yard games this year is also tied with Thurman Thomas for the second-most in a season in franchise history.

On the defensive side of the ball, Greg Rousseau was a problem, finishing his monster game with 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and three total tackles. Rousseau and defensive end Joey Bosa were all over the field, making life miserable for Sanders, while safety Jordan Poyer continued his resurgence with another solid outing, finishing with an interception, a team-high 11 tackles, one pass breakup, and half a sack.

Buffalo’s outside cornerback trio of Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, and rookie Maxwell Hairston also enjoyed stellar days as Sanders was able to complete his 20 passes (on 29 attempts) for only 157 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Bills won on a day where Allen (12-of-19 for 130 yards) didn’t play his best and did not account for any touchdowns, where the Bills were outgained on offense (294 yards to 259) and when Cleveland converted 8-of-14 third-down plays while the Bills missed an extra point and failed on both of their fourth-down tries.

Report cards and positional grades

Catch up on report cards to see what players are trending up and whose stock is on the decline following Buffalo’s win over the Browns.

Bills react to latest win

Hear from head coach Sean McDermott, quarterback Josh Allen, defensive end Greg Rousseau, and left tackle Dion Dawkins following Buffalo’s Week 16 road triumph.