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Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills - Official Game Thread

The last time the Cleveland Browns won a football game was last season against the Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Browns have a chance to add on to their current winning streak against the Bills using their momentum from last week's close contest against the Cincinnati Bengals.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-4) WEEK 5 BUFFALO BILLS (1-3)
VS.
Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Stadium: Ralph Wilson Stadium
TV: CBS
Favorite: Bills by 6½
Radio: WTAM, 1100 AM Over/Under: 41½
SBN Coverage: Buffalo Rumblings Announcers Don Criqui,
Randy Cross

Last year, it was Brady Quinn who defeated the Bills. This year, it's Derek Anderson who will receive that opportunity. One thing remains the same in this situation though: the threat of running back Jerome Harrison, who made highlight reels with his 80-yard touchdown last year.

Let's start off this week's preview with the overall team statistics heading into Week 5...

OFFENSE

Category Browns Bills
Points Scored 12.2 (30th) 18.5 (23rd)
Passing 172.2 (26th) 180.0 (25th)
Rushing 90.0 (27th) 110.8 (14th)
Total Offense (yards) 262.2 (29th) 290.8 (26th)

DEFENSE

Category Browns Bills
Points Scored 29.5 (31st) 27.5 (28th)
Passing 226.5 (22nd) 226.5 (21st)
Rushing 176.8 (31st) 150.5 (27th)
Total Defense (yards) 403.2 (32nd) 377.0 (27th)

CLEVELAND BROWNS Position BUFFALO BILLS
This isn't a case of me being overly confident due to Derek Anderson's one "average" game last week. I've never liked Trent Edwards, and I'd take Derek Anderson over him.
- QB Trent Edwards has the threats to go down the field in Terrell Owens and Lee Evans but has been unsuccessful in getting them the ball. His best throws are usually to the running backs.
Jamal Lewis might be a game-time decision, but I hope Jerome Harrison still gets the bulk of the carries. He did very well last week and deserves the chance to start.
RB - The combination of Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch can be real tough for a defense like the Browns. Both are threats to catch the ball, which I see being a match-up problem for us.
The Browns are without Braylon Edwards now, which should give way to guys like Brian Robiskie and Chansi Stuckey to step up. It'll be interesting to see if Massaquoi gets double-teamed.
WR - Edwards is having trouble getting them the ball, but Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, with the right quarterback, has the potential to be a very good receiving pair.
The Browns' offensive line had its best game of the season last week, with the left side of the line continuing strong and Alex Mack having the best start of his rookie season. With Derek Anderson getting rid of the ball, the right side of the line didn't appear as a weakness.
-
OL If the Browns are ever going to get aggressive on defense with exotic blitzes, it should be against the Bills. The Bills' offensive line has been patched together this season, as Edwards is being sacked four times a game.
Shaun Rogers was great on special teams last week. I'm looking for someone else to step up between Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman.
- DL - Thomas' threat this week is Aaron Schobel. Schobel is good, but Thomas has proven he can stop anybody.
The Browns' leader on defense, D'Qwell Jackson, probably won't play today. If David Veikune starts in his place, this will be a position I'll have my eyes on all game long.
- LB - The Bills, like the Browns, have been torched in trying to stop the run. The Bills don't generate too much pass rushing pressure from their linebackers either.
Edwards is prone to some poor interceptions. Our secondary only has one pick this season, and I think that'll change today.
-
DB Buffalo Rumblings made it seem like they won't miss Leodis McKelvin, but with him and starting safety Donte Whitner unavailable this week, this is a great week for our young receivers to find some holes in a makeshift secondary.
I shouldn't have doubted Joshua Cribbs last week. Taking some of his duties on offense away seemed to benefit him on special teams.
- ST Rian Lindell has been consistent for the Bills, although he's had his struggles against the Browns.

I'm playing the momentum game here. The Bills have been blown out the past two weeks, while the Browns finally looked like a real football team under Derek Anderson. The last time the Browns won a game was last season at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and we also beat the Bills two seasons ago in the snow-bowl. Browns win a close game.

FINAL PREDICTION: Cleveland Browns 20, Buffalo Bills 17.
CHRIS' RECORD IN PICKING BROWNS GAMES: 3-1
CHRIS' OVERALL NFL PREDICTIONS RECORD: 46-16


This is the official gameday thread for the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 as they take on the Buffalo Bills. All comments regarding the game should be posted in this topic. Enjoy the game, and GO BROWNS!!!