Cleveland Browns crumble in Buffalo as special teams blunder seals another heartbreaking loss
The Cleveland Browns came tantalizingly close to upsetting the Buffalo Bills on a frigid afternoon in Buffalo. Yet, true to their recent history, they fell short, unable to secure a win when it mattered most. With injuries piling up, the Browns showcased resilience but ultimately dropped to a disheartening 3-12 for the season, leaving fans contemplating the upcoming draft. Here are three key takeaways from the game.
Run Defense Continues to Struggle
From the opening drive, it was evident that the Bills were intent on neutralizing Myles Garrett, who was on the cusp of a record-breaking performance. Buffalo capitalized on Cleveland’s vulnerabilities in run defense, exacerbated by the season-ending injury to Maliek Collins. James Cook emerged as a dominant force, scoring two touchdowns and approaching the century mark by halftime.
While the Browns tightened their defense in the second half, it proved too little, too late. The Bills, boasting the league’s top rushing attack, leaned heavily on their ground game, limiting their passing attempts to just 19. Cook finished the day with 117 rushing yards, while quarterback Josh Allen managed only 130 passing yards. Despite Garrett’s efforts, including a controversial half-sack, the Browns’ defense could not contain the Bills’ offensive onslaught.
Special Teams Mistakes Haunt the Browns Again
As the first half drew to a close, Cleveland had a golden opportunity to narrow the gap to a single possession with a 48-yard field goal attempt. After a crucial penalty on a punt return set them up, kicker Andre Szmyt took the field. However, the snap from the holder, Corey Bojorquez, went awry. Bojorquez fumbled in an attempt to set the kick, ultimately deciding to toss the ball away rather than risk a turnover.
The missed field goal left the Browns trailing 20-10 at halftime, a familiar narrative for a team riddled with special teams blunders this season. While previous issues had often revolved around return mishaps or blocked punts, this latest miscue added another layer of frustration. The job security of special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone has been a topic of contention throughout the season, and it is clear that addressing these ongoing failures should be a priority moving forward.
Running Game Shows Promise Amid Passing Struggles
Early in the contest, Quinshon Judkins displayed promise with some gritty runs, but disaster struck when he suffered a concerning leg injury, casting a shadow over his rookie season. With Dylan Sampson already sidelined and Jerome Ford on injured reserve, the Browns turned to Rocket Sanders and Trayveon Williams. Both players stepped up impressively, contributing efficiently to the offensive effort.
Rahiem Sanders tallied 46 total yards, while Williams added 55, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders even showcased his mobility with 49 rushing yards. However, the passing game faltered significantly. After sustaining a finger injury, Shedeur Sanders struggled, tossing two interceptions. The first was a miscommunication with Judkins, resulting in a tipped pass. The second interception stemmed from a batted ball at the line of scrimmage, highlighting issues with the rookie quarterback’s performance behind a shaky offensive line.
In the critical moments of the game, Sanders’ inexperience was evident as he faced significant pressure, leading to several sacks and an intentional grounding penalty that ultimately sealed the Browns’ fate. Despite throwing one touchdown pass, the overall performance was marred by five turnovers in the past two weeks, further complicating his quest to establish himself as the team’s future leader.
As the season winds down, the Browns are left grappling with their challenges while eyeing a fresh start in the offseason.
