Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills

Lance A. Gentile

Tailgaters beware, because the weather for this week's Browns game versus the Buffalo Bills will be quite extreme. The forecast at game time is 29 degrees Fahrenheit with a 90% chance of snow. There is a chance that the predicted snow and 20+ mph winds may cause the Browns to lean more on the power running game of Jamal Lewis instead of the strong arm of Derek Anderson. The weather may actually be an advantage for the Browns, as it negates the Deep Threat of Bills speedster Lee Evans. This is a big week for the Brownies, because a win, coupled with a loss by the Titans, and the Browns clinch a playoff spot for the first time since Butch Davis took them to the post-season in 2002. A win for either team would be huge, and would help to set the tone for the future of either franchise.

Cleveland Browns Scouting Report: What will most likely be the keys to this game will be how Jamal Lewis runs against Buffalo's 30th ranked defense, and how the Brown's 32nd ranked defense plays against the Bills. Cleveland will score, but what has cost Cleveland in its five losses has been the ability to run out the clock and hold the opposition's offense in the second half. If the Browns are able to overcome the harsh conditions, they should find much success in the air against a 28th ranked pass defense. Also, while the stat sheet hasn't shown it, the defense seems to be improving and an improved defense would be a huge asset in this game. If Cleveland can get a win, coupled with a loss by Tennessee, the Browns have clinched a playoff spot. Hope for a division title is slim, but still alive because of a weak schedule.

Buffalo Bills Scouting Report: The Bills appear to need to win this game much more than the Browns. They have a tough schedule to finish the season, with games against the Giants and Eagles. A win against the Browns would put them in a tie with the Browns for the 6th seed. The Bills have not had a berth since 1999, and a loss would have them waiting another year. Rookie quarterback Trent Edwards is 5-1 as a starter, and seems to have chemistry with big play receiver Lee Evans, and while no one outside of Buffalo would say that there offense is explosive, putting up 39 points on the scoreboard shows they are capable of scoring, especially against a weak defense like Cleveland's.

Prediction: Cleveland has played very well at home this year (5-0 when Anderson starts) and I think that continues. The Brown's defense steps up to win Browns - 28, Bills - 17.