The Buffalo Bills lead the Cleveland Browns 20-10 at halftime of Week 16, in a game that featured plenty of first-half drama. The biggest news to this point deals with injury — most notably to quarterback Josh Allen, and also to running back Quinshon Judkins.
Allen was injured late in the second quarter on a scramble drill that was dead in the water before it began. In trying to keep the football out of the end zone, Allen appeared to injure his ankle or lower leg. It remains to be seen what Allen’s
injury is and what his status is for the remainder of Week 16 and beyond. As for Judkins, he has been ruled out with a serious lower leg injury.
The end of the first half overshadowed a truly spectacular effort by running back James Cook III, who has nine carries for 100 yards and two touchdown runs. Buffalo’s downhill run game continues to eviscerate opponents, and they may have to learn even further into that look in the second half.
Overall, the Bills have played well on offense, which is a welcome sight for a team that has again struggled on defense to stop a physical offensive attack. The Bills’ front seven has appeared overmatched at times, while the defensive backs continue to hold their own.
Kicker Matt Prater can’t get healthy soon enough. Michael Badgley’s debut place-kicking has not gone well, with his first extra-point attempt going down as a missed “doink,” only to follow that up later with a miserable kickoff attempt that resulted in a penalty.
Will the Bills continue to keep edge rusher Myles Garrett at bay? He nearly tied the NFL sack record on Allen’s unwise and unfortunate scramble drill. Here’s your open thread for the remainder of Bills-Browns in Week 16. As always, be kind to one another — and in all things… Go Bills!
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns first-half stats (courtesy of NFLGSIS)
