Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills: Behind the Box Score

The Cleveland Browns fell to the Buffalo Bills 26-10 on Sunday, putting them on level pegging with the rest of the AFC Wild Card pack. The Browns’ defense hung tough for four quarters, but two Brian Hoyer interceptions, a Billy Cundiff missed field goal, and a Terrance West fumble returned for a touchdown proved to be too much to overcome. While the rest of the world looks forward to what might be next week against Indianapolis, WFNY takes one more look at the Buffalo game, going behind the box score.

8 – After giving the ball away just eight times in their first nine games, the Browns have now turned the ball over eight times in their last three games. It’s no coincidence that those first nine games in which the Browns protected the football resulted in a 6-3 record while the turnover happy end of November saw the Browns drop two out of three. The bulk of the blame falls on the shoulders of Brian Hoyer. Hoyer has now thrown six interceptions in his last three games, equaling the number the Browns’ quarterback gave away during his first nine starts. A season which started with so much promise for the Cleveland native, has seen him fall from being a dependable game manager who is worthy of a shiny, new contract to the next addition to the landfill that is former Browns’ quarterbacks. In addition to Hoyer’s recent struggles, the Browns have put the ball on the ground seven times in the last three weeks, luckily recovering all but two of the fumbles.

66 – Craig Robertson and Jim Lenoard both were on the field for all 66 defensive snaps on Sunday. For the second week in a row, Roberston played every defensive snap thanks to the injury to Karlos Dansby, and did so filling in quite admirably. Leonard, who hadn’t played in more than half of the defensive snaps in any game this year, also stepped up when his name was called, coming up with a timely interception of Kyle Orton in the Browns’ end zone. While Tashaun’s season ending injury against Atlanta was a big blow, Leonard showed he’s more than capable of making the calls in the back end of the defense and can making a big time play when needed. Chirs Kirksey also continues to see his role increasing thanks to the Dansby injury. The rookie out of Iowa had strong game against Buffalo’s ground attack and has now been on the field for more than 70% of defensive snaps the last three weeks.

28 – Despite the 26-10 score line, the Browns actually outgained the Bills by twenty-eight yards and recorded four more first downs. Once again, the Browns’ defense played well enough to win the game, but a missed Billy Cundiff chip shot field goal, and a Terrance West fumble returned for a touchdown swung the contest in Buffalo’s favor. The initial reaction to the loss has many wanting to press the panic button, but the Browns have to stick to the winning principles that have gotten them to December as playoff contenders: Take care of the football and avoid self-inflicted mistakes. Do those things and you’ll have success, but the question remains as to which quarterback best fits that role.

4 – Number of penalties called on All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas. Having been arguably the best left tackle in football through eleven games, Thomas put in by far his worst game of the season going up against the powerful Buffalo front. Joe was called for a false start and three holding penalties (only one which ended up being enforced), and wasn’t able to muster up any creases on the left side of the line for Crowell and West to run through. The Browns managed just nine yards on six carries around left tackle or left end, an area that has been a strength for Kyle Shanahan’s offense all year long.

Joe Thomas game by game grades by Pro Football Focus

1 – Brian Hoyer only took one shot beyond 20 yards to Josh Gordon. In today’s NFL where pass interference penalties are a viable form of offense, it’s imperative to take shots down the field to your a big, physical, freak of nature wide receivers if you have them. Gordon spent most of his day working through traffic in the middle of the field, where he caught five of his seven balls. While Gordon’s size makes him a dependable target over the middle, he needs the ball in his hands on the outside, in space, to maximize his impact on the game. The Browns have run a few wide receiver screens to Gordon in his two games back, but as the running game struggles, quick hitters to Gordon can fill that void.

??? – Gordon had seven catches for 75 yards, but had a handful of plays that make you scratch your head as a Browns’ fan. The first of which was a 15-yard taunting penalty which was earned after Gordon spun the ball following a first down catch. The spin itself was nothing to be flagged for, but the ball ended up hitting a Buffalo defender which drew the taunting flag. The ball spin is a normal reaction for a receiver getting into the rhythm of the game, but the real pros have some savviness to them when they do it, not flinging the ball at a defender and costing your team 15 yards. Gordon also was penalized for a false start, something inexcusable for a receiver who should be looking down the line and watching the football. Add in a dropped pass, and a misread of Buffalo’s 2-deep-safety coverage which resulted in Brian Hoyer throwing a pass directly to Da’Norris Searcy, and it was not Gordon’s best day.

80 – In case you haven’t heard, Johnny Manziel got his first real action as the Browns’ quarterback in the loss to Buffalo. Manziel led the Browns on an eight play, 80-yard drive which was capped off by a vintage Johnny Football scramble for a touchdown. Shanahan called several bootlegs on Manziel’s first drive, forcing Buffalo to account for Manziel as a ball carrier. Not only can the play action pass be successful off this action, but Johnny’s ability to run forces a defender to commit to the quarterback, leaving one less man staying in the box to stop a handoff to Crowell or West.