by The Cleveland Browns fell to the Buffalo Bills 31-7 in both teams’ second preseason game. Both teams evenly threw and ran the ball, and Cleveland gave us a look at what we can expect from the quarterback position this season.
The Bills started off with the ball and immediately got to work in the running game, moving the chains twice on running plays with Bills backup #7 Ray Davis. Bills second string quarterback, #11 Kyle Allen, then delivered two deep balls down the field to third string wide receiver #81 Trent Sherfield, placing them just outside of the red zone. After an unfortunate pass interference call on Browns cornerback #11 Tre Avery, the Bills are able to get into the end zone with a one yard touchdown run from Ray Davis.
The Browns were able to answer back immediately with a balanced passing and rushing attack on their first possession. #2 Shedeur Sanders started the game for Cleveland at quarterback, moving the ball down the field in the air and on the ground. He was also able to keep the Browns drive alive with a 16-yard strike on a 4th & 2, just inside of Bills territory. Shedeur was then able to find #81 Luke Floriea in the back of the end zone for an 8 yard touchdown pass.
The defense for both teams started to make some stops, forcing back and forth punts between the Browns and the Bills. On the Browns third possession, the team was looking at another red zone appearance due to Buffalo penalties and good quarterback play from Shedeur. This was until a bobbled pass intended for recently signed tight end #85 Jermaine Terry II found the hands of #3 Damar Hamlin, giving Bills position in their own red zone.
The Bills would then gain one first down before punting it back to Cleveland, who would give the ball back to Buffalo with 47 seconds left in the half. Kyle Allen then led the Bills on a last second drive from their own 38-yard line, where he was able to find #84 Ja’Mori Maclin for a monster 37-yard pass putting the team in scoring position before the half. With 26 seconds left, Kyle Allen is able to find #1 Mecole Hardman Jr. for a 9 yard passing touchdown. The Bills entered the half up 14-7 over the Browns, and the Browns looked to strike back, receiving the ball first in the second half.
The Browns started off the second half with a new look at quarterback, bringing in #4 Deshaun Watson. This was not the start of the second half the Browns envisioned in the locker room, with a rush for negative yards and a pair of incompletions forcing an early Browns punt.
The Bills were able to capitalize off of this forced turnover, methodically moving the ball down the field, even converting on 4th & 1, until they were held up on a 3rd & 10 on Cleveland’s 34-yard line. This set up Bills Kicker #16 Tyler Bass with a long 52-yard attempt that he barely squeaked in the left upright, putting the Bills up 17-7.
After this score, we see two three and outs in a row by Cleveland and Buffalo, leading to another Browns possession lead by Deshaun Watson. After three plays of positive offense by the Browns, including a 20-yard pass from Deshaun to #83 Malachi Corley, the Browns were faced with a 3rd & 5 just inside the Bills territory. Deshaun Watson took the snap in shotgun, and threw the ball down the field into double coverage trying to find #84 Gage Larvadain, and instead found Bills cornerback #33 Te’Cory Couch for the Browns second thrown interception of the day.
Fired up from this forced turnover by the defense, the Bills offense came back on the field, led by third string quarterback #6 Shane Buechele. The Bills immediately completed a second down slant over the middle to Ja’Mori Maclin, who beat two Browns to the sideline giving him an open lane for a 71-yard touchdown. This improved Buffalo’s lead to 24-7 with around 2 minutes left in the third.
The Browns would regain possession and slowly move down the field with Deshaun Watson’s short passing game and #23 Ahmani Marshall’s running game. This led the Browns to the Buffalo 36 with around 13-minutes left in the game. After a short completion and two incompletions, Cleveland was faced with the biggest play of the game, a 4th & 4 in Buffalo’s territory. Deshaun’s pass was tipped at the line by #90 Dewayne Carter, and fell incomplete, giving Buffalo the ball back and sealing the game.
Buffalo was then able to impose their will on the Browns defense, easily getting down field into their red zone and scoring a rushing touchdown with third string quarterback Shane Buechele. This put the game firmly out of reach for the Browns at 31-7, Buffalo, and each team ran down the clock with their final possessions.
Cleveland moves on to face New England at home, and Buffalo will host the Steelers this upcoming Thursday, August 27th.
The Buffalo Bills player of the game was wide receiver #84 Ja’Mori Maclin. He had 3 targets for 2 receptions and 108 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown.
