Mike McClain - BROWNS ON OFFENSE: It was a complete turnaround for quarterback
Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson. Weeden looked
comfortable and in control against the Bengals, completing 27-of-37
passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns. Richardson rushed for 109 yards
on 19 carries and scored touchdowns on a 32-yard run and a 23-yard
reception. Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has eight receptions for 131
yards. A week after not catching a pass Greg Little caught five passes
for 57 yards and one touchdown.
BILLS ON OFFENSE: Running back C.J. Spiller has been outstanding in replacing the injured Fred Jackson. Spiller leads the NFL with 292 rushing yards, adding three touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has completed 28-of-51 passes for 373 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Two of the touchdowns came in a 35-17 rout of the Chiefs. Receiver Stevie Johnson has six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Scott Chandler and Donald Jones also have six receptions each. The line has yet to allow a sack.
BROWNS ON DEFENSE: There's concern about the cornerback spots. Joe Haden will serve the second game of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Sheldon Brown played only one down last week, but he's expected to play more this week because the Bills normally line up with three receivers. Buster Skrine started in Brown's place last Sunday and struggled. Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson is off to a good start with eight tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. Strong safety T.J. Ward leads in tackles with 17. The defense is tied for second in the NFL with eight sacks.
BILLS ON DEFENSE: The Bills signed former Texans end Mario Williams to add spice to the pass rush, but he's still looking for his first sack. Signing Williams was a risk because of a recent history with injuries. Stopping the run has been a problem. Opponents are averaging 134 yards a game. Safety Jairus Byrd leads in tackles with 17. Linebacker Nick Barnett is second with 15.
BROWNS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Phil Dawson has made all five of his field-goal attempts. Punter Reggie Hodges has a 34.4 net average. Joshua Cribbs is averaging 28.4 yards on kick returns and 12.4 on punt returns. The punt coverage unit was torched last week by Adam Jones, who went 81 yards for a touchdown.
BILLS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Rian Lindell has yet to attempt a field goal. Punter Brian Moorman has a 31.2 net average. Leodis McKelvin has a 23.7 average returning kicks. He averages an eye-popping 31 yards on four punt returns, including a 60-yarder for a touchdown. The Bills are allowing 25.6 yards per punt return.
BROWNS MUST: Pound Richardson at a defense that's struggled stopping the run. Conversely, Spiller can't pick up big chunks of yardage. The team that runs better will likely win.
BILLS MUST: Put pressure on Weeden. Given time against the Bengals, Weeden looked like a time-tested veteran. Controlling the ball on the ground is paramount.
PREDICTION: Browns, 24-17
BILLS ON OFFENSE: Running back C.J. Spiller has been outstanding in replacing the injured Fred Jackson. Spiller leads the NFL with 292 rushing yards, adding three touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has completed 28-of-51 passes for 373 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Two of the touchdowns came in a 35-17 rout of the Chiefs. Receiver Stevie Johnson has six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Scott Chandler and Donald Jones also have six receptions each. The line has yet to allow a sack.
BROWNS ON DEFENSE: There's concern about the cornerback spots. Joe Haden will serve the second game of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Sheldon Brown played only one down last week, but he's expected to play more this week because the Bills normally line up with three receivers. Buster Skrine started in Brown's place last Sunday and struggled. Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson is off to a good start with eight tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. Strong safety T.J. Ward leads in tackles with 17. The defense is tied for second in the NFL with eight sacks.
BILLS ON DEFENSE: The Bills signed former Texans end Mario Williams to add spice to the pass rush, but he's still looking for his first sack. Signing Williams was a risk because of a recent history with injuries. Stopping the run has been a problem. Opponents are averaging 134 yards a game. Safety Jairus Byrd leads in tackles with 17. Linebacker Nick Barnett is second with 15.
BROWNS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Phil Dawson has made all five of his field-goal attempts. Punter Reggie Hodges has a 34.4 net average. Joshua Cribbs is averaging 28.4 yards on kick returns and 12.4 on punt returns. The punt coverage unit was torched last week by Adam Jones, who went 81 yards for a touchdown.
BILLS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Rian Lindell has yet to attempt a field goal. Punter Brian Moorman has a 31.2 net average. Leodis McKelvin has a 23.7 average returning kicks. He averages an eye-popping 31 yards on four punt returns, including a 60-yarder for a touchdown. The Bills are allowing 25.6 yards per punt return.
BROWNS MUST: Pound Richardson at a defense that's struggled stopping the run. Conversely, Spiller can't pick up big chunks of yardage. The team that runs better will likely win.
BILLS MUST: Put pressure on Weeden. Given time against the Bengals, Weeden looked like a time-tested veteran. Controlling the ball on the ground is paramount.
PREDICTION: Browns, 24-17
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