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Week 15 Game Recap: Buffalo Bills 0, Cleveland Browns 8
What you need to know
| Buffalo Bills |
In a game played in the midst of a blizzard featuring 40 MPH wind gusts and near white out conditions, the Buffalo Bills failed to score any points and lost their seventh game of the season. The impact of the weather in the game could not be overstated. Buffalo's passing offense failed to get much of anything going, with QB Trent Edwards going 13 for 33 for 124 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs. Edwards and his receivers struggled to find any rhythm in the snow, and no Buffalo receiver had more than 36 yards.
Marshawn Lynch led an effective rushing attack, carrying the ball 21 times for 82 yards, Lynch was essentially the sole source of the Buffalo offense for most of the game. While the snow did limit his effectiveness to a certain degree, Lynch was able to find some running lanes and helped keep the potent Cleveland offense off the field.
The Buffalo passing defense did benefit from the effects of the weather, but still failed to stop a power rushing attack by Jamal Lewis. Lewis had his way with the Buffalo defenders, ripping off 163 yards on the ground. In the passing game, the Bills were effective at taking Kellen Winslow out of the game and keeping the center of the field covered against the Browns receivers.
| Cleveland Browns |
The Cleveland Browns turned to Jamal Lewis, who ran for 163 yards on 33 carries, to carry the offensive load. With the blizzard making visibility extremely difficult for most of the game, Derek Anderson was limited to only nine for 24 for 137 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs. Despite the weather, Braylon Edwards did show up with a four catch, 64 yard performance.
Perhaps the biggest star of the game was kicker Phil Dawson who kicked a 35 yard field goal early in the first quarter to put the Browns ahead. But it was the 49 yard field goal, in the middle of the blizzard that was the true wow moment of the game. The kick was a line drive kick that bounced off the back of the goal post. Both field goals, plus a safety on a blown Buffalo special teams play were all the points the Browns could muster in these conditions.
The Cleveland rushing defense struggled at times against Marshawn Lynch. While they were ultimately able to force Buffalo to take to the air to try and win the game, it was clear that many adjustments were needed to stop the Bills' running back. It was the Cleveland pass defense that nearly lost the game, giving up a 60 yard passing drive in the last minute of the fourth quarter. The drive took the Bills down to the Cleveland ten yard line and it was only a missed pass by Bills receiver Roscoe Parrish, and another poorly executed screen pass from Trent Edwards that prevented the Bills from coming within two points of tying the game.
What you ought to know
| QB Trent Edwards, Pass: 13 - 33 - 124 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 12 - 0 |
Edwards really struggled in the blizzard, completing only 13 of 33 passes. His offensive line failed to give him enough time to really get set up in the pocket and as a result a number of his passes sailed over his receiver's heads. On more than a few routes it was clear that the communication between Edwards and his receivers was off as passes hit off the back of the receiver or were thrown to an empty field. He did show some mobility on a 12 yard scramble in the first half and had the presence of mind to get out of bounds at the end of the play.
| RB Marshawn Lynch, Rush: 21 - 82 - 0 (1 targets) |
Lynch was the focal point of the Bills offense and responded very well to the challenge. Most of his runs were off tackle toward the sideline, but despite the snow, Lynch showed the ability to make a cut and head back toward the middle of the field. While the Bills offensive line struggled to create passing lanes, they were effective at opening holes up for Lynch and he was quick enough to move through the hole and find a second gear once he got into the secondary.
| RB Fred Jackson, Rush: 7 - 16 - 0, Rec: 3 - 36 - 0 (3 targets) |
Jackson was a change of pace back, used to spell Lynch at times during the game. He was largely ineffective running the ball with seven carries for 16 yards. He did find a small niche in the passing game, specifically on play action, catching a total of three passes for 36 yards.
| WR Lee Evans, Rec: 4 - 36 - 0 (12 targets) |
Evans struggled to both hang on to passes and get into a rhythm with his quarterback during the game. Paired up against Browns DB Leigh Bodden, Evans' speed and cut back ability were effectively nullified by the snow. This was especially evident on a go route that Evans ran in the third quarter. On the route, he tried to pull up to shake off Bodden, slipped, and really failed to build up any steam running down the field. Bodden was able to stay with Evans for the entire route and broke up a well timed pass from Edwards. Despite the poor game stats, it was clear throughout the game that Evans was the go-to receiver in the offense. In particular, on the final 60 yard drive for the Bills, Evans was targeted on five of the 12 plays of the drive.
| WR Josh Reed, Rush: 1 - -6 - 0, Rec: 3 - 29 - 0 (7 targets) |
Reed was essentially ineffective catching only three balls for 29 yards. His biggest catch came late in the fourth quarter, a 20 yard gain that kept the Bills' final drive going.
| TE Robert Royal, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (2 targets) |
Royal, much like the rest of the receiving corps, failed to make any meaningful impact in the game, catching one pass for nine yards.
| PK Rian Lindell 0 - 0 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 0 points |
Lindell did not see any action in the game.
| BUF Rush Defense |
The Bills rush defense failed to stop the power running game of Jamal Lewis. Lewis ran right into the heart of the defense and Buffalo was unable to contain him. Most of the time it took two and three defenders to bring Lewis down, all while giving ground. The Browns committed to the running game from the first play of the game and Buffalo was unable to make any assignment or scheme changes to stop Cleveland.
| BUF Pass Defense |
The Bills pass defense was aided largely by the weather as the Browns were unable to really put their high powered offense into gear in the blizzard. Braylon Edwards did have a big day catching the ball, but most of his catches were "highlight reel", diving catches that were not the result of blown coverage. The Bills did a great job of isolating and taking Kellen Winslow out of the game, as his first catch did not come until late in the third quarter. Buffalo struggled to apply any real pressure to Derek Anderson and were victims of play action with the Cleveland running game well established.
| QB Derek Anderson, Pass: 9 - 24 - 137 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0 |
Anderson was hampered by the weather and turned to Jamal Lewis to carry the offense during the game. The Browns did make an attempt to kick start the passing game on a series late in the second quarter. Throwing downfield three times, Anderson did connect with Braylon Edwards for a big 25 yard gain. The pass, however, was a weak one thrown well over Edwards shoulder and it was only a leaping effort on Edwards part that turned the throw into a catch. The Browns receivers did modify their routes, running more banana shaped cut-in routes, and running some play action once Lewis had established the running game. While these routes were effective some of the time, by and large the weather had the final say and the Browns were forced to run the ball for most of the second half.
| RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 33 - 163 - 0, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets) |
Lewis was the focal point and star of the Cleveland offense. The entire Browns game plan focused around driving Lewis up the middle of the field and he responded very well. Most of his runs were straight up the middle or just off the guard. But the real key to Lewis' performance was the head of steam he built up as he ran down the field. His momentum made it seem like he was running downhill all game long and it would take two and three defenders to bring him down. Furthermore, as Lewis would get past the first layer of defenders, the defensive secondary would be slow in getting over toward him and as a result, Lewis could stiff-arm and even cut away from would-be tacklers. Perhaps the best example of this type of play came in the fourth quarter when Lewis took a handoff off the guard, bowled his way past the linemen and came into the secondary with a full head of steam. It would take four defenders to pull him down and he picked up five yards after the first contact was made.
| RB Jason Wright, Rush: 3 - 11 - 0 (2 targets) |
Wright played the role of change of pace back, but was largely a non-factor in the game. He did have a couple play action plays scripted for him but dropped one pass and the other was under-thrown.
| WR Braylon Edwards, Rec: 4 - 64 - 0 (6 targets) |
Despite the weather, Edwards did make two brilliant catches. The first was a ball he tipped to himself, made the catch, and had the presence of mind to get both feet in-bounds. The second was a poorly thrown pass over his shoulder that showcased both Edwards leaping ability and his excellent hands. Both catches were certainly highlight-reel but ultimately both drives ended in a Cleveland punt.
| WR Joe Jurevicius, Rec: 2 - 34 - 0 (6 targets) |
Jurevicius played a small role in the game, with his biggest catch being a 25 yard reception that bounced off of Braylon Edwards and landed in his hands. Jurevicius proceeded to bolt down the center of the field, ultimately being caught by two Buffalo DB's. The Browns did try to work Jurevicius over the center of the field but here again the snow proved to rob him of both speed any cut ability.
| TE Kellen Winslow Jr, Rec: 2 - 28 - 0 (9 targets) |
Winslow was shut down by the Buffalo defense, often double teamed on pass plays. As a result Winslow only caught two catches for 28 yards.
| PK Phil Dawson 2 - 2 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 6 points |
Dawson was the main source of points for the Cleveland Browns. Despite the blizzard and nearly 40 MPH wind gusts, Dawson hit a jaw dropping 49 yard field goal in the second quarter to go along with the 35 yard field goal he nailed in the first quarter.
| CLE Rush Defense |
The Cleveland rush defense was able to slow down the Buffalo rushing game, while not completely stopping it. Marshawn Lynch was able to find rushing lanes running off tackle and he was able to make some cuts in the deep snow. Over the course of the game, Cleveland did make some adjustments and brought seven and eight men into the box to stop Lynch. Added to this, the Browns were able to apply more pressure on the line in the second half, which forced the Bills to take to the air and challenge the Cleveland pass defense.
| CLE Pass Defense |
Once again the Cleveland pass defense struggled to shut down an opponent's passing attack. During this game, the Browns were able to use the inclement weather as a tool in stopping the Buffalo offense. However, despite the weather, the Bills were able to drive 60 yards down the field, late in the fourth quarter, to make an attempt to tie the game. On the drive, huge gaps appeared the Cleveland secondary and Buffalo receivers often found ample room to run after a catch. A Cleveland secondary that had largely shut-down the Bills for most of the afternoon found itself scrambling to stop the Bills passing game on this drive. Luckily, for Cleveland, the drive stalled when Trent Edwards was unable to connect with any receivers in the end zone and time expired but the drive once again exposed the weaknesses in the Cleveland pass defense.
