Here we go again! It always seems like when the Browns play the Bills, it is a given there will be horrible winter weather. That again will be the case this Sunday as the Browns (5-7) travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills (2-10).
With the weather forecast calling for snow, everyone is expecting to see alot of the Hill Train. That should please alot of Browns fans still lacking confidence in Jake Delhomme, who will be starting in his third straight game. Colt McCoy has been limited in practice making it doubtful he'll play on Sunday. One thing I will say with Delhomme, is that he spreads the ball around to everyone. Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi have been making more plays as of late making it easier on Tight Ends Ben Watson and Evan Moore to make plays. Watson last week had 10 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown. Again with the weather potentially being terrible, I expect the Browns to run the football. The Bills are last in the league in run defense, giving up 170 yards per game so everything is in the Browns favor to dominate with Peyton Hillis.
Believe or not, Buffalo is statistically better than the Browns on offense. They average more total yards, passing yards, and points so the defense must not take them lightly. Joe Haden is looking for his fifth interception in as many games and he is also starting to make some serious noise for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The main question is, however, can this defense build on their success from last week? They came up with a game changing turnover last week that led to the game winning field. Instead of giving up the big play, they made the big play. The weather will be on their side and they must continue to improve.
I was at the stadium in 2007 when the Browns beat the Bills 8-0 in a Blizzard, What a fun game to be at. I don't think the weather will be as bad for this contest. This is a very winnable game for the Browns, in fact they should win. My only hope is that the Browns do not play to the level of their competition. I need to see them dominate a team, they should beat, for me to have confidence in them. With that said I see this being a close game, especially if the Bills manage to stop the run. Delhomme did a nice job last week not trying to do too much and just managing the game. He needs to do that again. The defense just needs to keep getting stops and key turnovers. Finally, will the real Phil Dawson please make a field goal. There might be quite a few opportunities this Sunday.
Prediction: Browns 16 Bills 12
