Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills - Official Game Thread

The Bills have not seen an A+ performance out of Trent Edwards this year. The former third-round draft pick started off the season managing games well, but he has not been very effective the past three weeks. During that stretch, Edwards has thrown 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Brady Quinn definitely has more upside overall, but this will be his first road start of the season. To be fair, I can't rank him as a superstar just yet.

One of the bigger disappointments this season at the running back positions has to be Marshawn Lynch. His season has been very similar to that of Jamal Lewis' -- several "ok" games, but he has not reached the 100-yard mark or thrived against division opponents. When the Bills needed him most the past two weeks against the Jets and Patriots, he has combined for 62 yards on 23 carries on the ground. The Browns need to work in Jerome Harrison on a more consistent basis; let's see if Romeo Crennel holds true to his word.

This was supposed to be a breakout season for WR Lee Evans, and he has quietly posted some fair statistics, still averaging an astounding 18.9 yards per catch this season. Maybe I'm off on this, but while fans around the league know that Braylon Edwards is having a down season, they'd probably project that his stats are still higher than Evans. That is not the case. Beyond Evans though, the Bills have the same problem they've had the past several years: there aren't any go-to-guys beyond him. Quinn established a solid relationship with Kellen Winslow and Donte Stallworth last week, and has an extra week of practice under his belt in working with them.

The news has been better for left guard Eric Steinbach, although there isn't a definite word on his status tonight. The Bills improved their offensive line in the offseason and their ranking might have been higher had they not been part of a three game losing streak. Both teams are pretty even at blocking the run, but the Browns excel when it comes to protecting the passer.

Defensive Line

Corey Williams' shoulder has him listed as questionable again. Sooner or later, I'm definitely due on an article about how Williams has been a complete bust thus far. The Bills will still be without outstanding pass rusher Aaron Schobel on Monday Night, a big break for Brady Quinn. For the second week in a row, Quinn shouldn't feel the pressure too much.

Big change at the linebacker position this week: Shantee Orr is going to see some playing time. With that said, it only makes sense that rookie fourth-rounder Beau Bell will probably be inactive again. For the Bills, Kawika Mitchell and Paul Posluszny are two players I'd like the Browns to get their hands on, if we had the appropriate defensive system. The Bills aren't particularly lights out at linebacker, but they are a healthier and better-tackling unit that Denver was.

Cleveland's secondary has taken major steps backwards the past two weeks, but they are ones that we can recover from. Really, we've only been burned late in games -- hopefully Mel Tucker, being a defensive backs specialist, will find a better rotation by throwing Travis Daniels and Mike Adams into the mix more often.

Joshua Cribbs is back to the point where he can return a kick the distance every time he touches the ball. The Bills have a nearly equally dangerous returner in Roscoe Parrish, but like Cribbs earlier this season, Parrish is sort of in a "dry" spell period. Phil Dawson had two tremendous kicks in a snow bowl last season -- I think he'll be ready for some chilly weather in Buffalo.