The Skinny:
David Nelson caught an 11 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick for the game's only touchdown to lead the Bills to a 13-6 win over the Browns. Both kickers would hit two field goals and the second half of the sloppy game saw only three points. Rian Lindell hit field goals from 30 and 19 yards out. The defense held the Browns in check after Peyton Hillis ran wild on the opening possession but they held the Browns to just a field goal. Jake Delhomme couldn't get his team going offensively the rest of the day as the Browns totaled just 187 yards of offense. Fred Jackson ran out the clock with some hard running and finished with 112 yards on the ground.
The Turning Point:
It would have to be the last turnover of a sloppy game. Late in the game Delhomme throws a duck of a pass that Leodis McKelvin picked off that essentially ended the game after the Bills kept allowing the Browns to hang around. It was the 2nd really good play in a row for McKelvin who separated Chansi Stuckey from the ball a player earlier. A case could be made for the turnover a series before when the Bills won a replay challenge to give Bryan Scott a fumble recovery forced by Arthur Moats.
The Big Drive:
It was probably the only touchdown drive of the game. It was a very impressive drive by the Bills offense. They went 89 yards in 14 plays in 5:32 to Nelson's touchdown on a third and six pass. Donald Jones converted a third down with a reception. Jackson and C.J. Spiller each made some nice, tough runs.
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Stat of the Game:
Browns fumbles: Cleveland fumbled five times but only lost two so they were able to stay in the game.
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What You Don't See On The Stat Sheet:
Was the questionable play calling by the Browns on offense. They ran the ball so well on their opening possession and then kind of went away from the run. They threw several times on third and short.
Quick Slants:
- Bills deferred on the opening kickoff again. They promptly went offsides on opening kickoff and Hillis took the Browns right down the field but the Bills defense stiffened and held them to a field goal.
- The Bills went for it on a 4th and 2 play at the Browns 35 in the first half. Right call but the pass in tight coverage went incomplete.
- Cleveland chose to kick a field goal on their opening drive on 4th and goal at the 1. They got the points but should have went for it and gave it to Hillis for what likely would have been a score. The Bills than reciprocated by going for it on 4th and goal from the one foot line and kicking a FG.
- Jairus Byrd may not be picking off passes but he has forced three fumbles in two games. He forced two today, one recovered by the Bills.
- During a third quarter drive, the Browns fumbled three times and recovered all three fumbles! On the third one, the Bills had three players on the ball and Joshua Cribbs got it back. The drive ended in a punt.
My Take:
This game was as ugly as most people thought it would be but for the first time since 2004 the Bills came out on the winning end of a series filled of bizzare games. Last year they lost a slightly uglier game so this may be a show of progress. Afterall, ugly wins are better than ugly losses.
What's Ahead:
The Bills head down to South Florida to take on the Dolphins in a game that likely won't mean anything for Miami either as they appear to be dead in the playoff picture.
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