I know, it’s Cleveland hosting Buffalo; not exactly a recipe for excitement.
Admit it, both these teams have been just terrible the last five years.
Sure, in 2007 the 10-6 Browns were first in the AFC North, the same year Buffalo took second in the AFC East (though with a slightly less impressive 7-9 record), but conditions were near blizzard level when they met that year, resulting in a wretched 8-0 Cleveland victory.
The following year, a season when both the Browns (4-12) and Bills (7-9) finished fourth in their respective divisions, the game turned out to be far more exciting than the records would have indicated.
Though Cleveland was a lowly 30th in scoring and Buffalo a slightly better 23rd that year, the game resulted in a surprisingly high final of 29-27 in favor of the Browns (making it the high mark for these recent meetings).
They then played the next two years, but no one cared.
In 2009, Cleveland (5-11) and Buffalo (6-10) both remained in fourth, were 29th and 28th in scoring, and the Browns won in a 6-3 yawner.
In 2010, their last meeting, Buffalo finally took away a win of their own 13-6 (hooray…). Records-wise, Cleveland (5-11) may have climbed to third in the North that year, but the Bills (4-12) remained stuck in fourth.
They also both remained in the bottom five in scoring, with Cleveland 31st and Buffalo 28th.
Regardless of the history of their last four meetings and their extensive shared penchant for failure, these teams are looking better this season and are heading into what may very well be a good match come Sunday in Cleveland.
Hell, it could even be worth a highlight or two the next day.
Think that’s a pretty bold prediction, huh? Well, then how about three more?
1. This game will be the highest scoring in the last four years.
Buffalo (1-1) may have looked like the “same old Bills” after an embarrassing Week 1, but they bounced back and won their second with ease. They’re currently ranked seventh in total yards, first in rushing (yes, first… turns out C.J. Spiller is a sick back), and are fifth overall in scoring with 63 combined points their first two games.
They’ve allowed no sacks, their defense has gotten two interceptions while also forcing four fumbles (recovering two), and Buffalo is a perfect five-for-five in scoring on red zone trips.
Meanwhile, Cleveland may have stumbled out to 0-2, but they got awfully close late in those losses and the games have been getting… well, kind of fun. Put aside the close, but horribly played 16-17 loss to the Eagles, last week at Cincinnati the vaunted Bengals’ defense just barely contained the Browns.
And 28-year-old rookie, Brandon Weedon, threw for 322 yards and two scores on the day, while fellow rookie, running back Trent Richardson, exploded for 145 combined yards, with one receiving and one rushing touchdown. Oh, and the Browns are first in the NFL with five interceptions on the year.
This upcoming Sunday may be better than their 2008 meeting and could see the highest combined score for these teams since the 1990 playoffs, when the Browns came away with a 34-30 victory in what would be Buffalo’s last divisional postseason loss the next four years (I said “divisional loss”… they did lose a few in the postseason over that stretch).
If these teams both play like they did last week, expect a lot of scoring, more than one interception, and a final score that will definitely be over the current line of 44 combined points.
2. Buffalo’s eight-game road losing streak ends.
Even though I’m predicting the Browns will grab at least one from Fitzpatrick on the day, the Bills just seemed to strike a nice rhythm on both sides of the ball last week and should put an end to their road woes in this one.
Unlike the chaotic and injury-riddled first game, Buffalo was cool and confident against the Chiefs Week 2. They looked well-coached, found a real strength in their rushing attack, and used that run game as a base to launch a solid, if unspectacular passing attack that got them an early lead.
Fitzpatrick looked poised in the pocket, making great decisions all day. The defense was both more complex (Defensive end Mark Anderson was seen lining up back in coverage several times) and more stifling than in week one, not allowing the Chiefs to even sniff the end zone until fourth quarter garbage time.
And C.J…. man, Buffalo’s been waiting for you to come around.
Overall, Cleveland may have shown they have a pulse, but Buffalo showed a dominance in their win that the Browns just don’t possess (yet). It could have been just a one-game oddity for the Bills, or it could be that Kansas City is really bad this season… or it could be that Buffalo is finally starting to believe they’re not defined by the failures of their past, not anymore.
The Bills have got the goods to be a competitor this season and should see this game put an end to their string of road failures
(Plus, the Bills’ next six games go Patriots, at 49ers, at Cardinals, Titans, bye, at Houston, at the Patriots, so they kind of really need to win now).
3. C.J. Spiller will out-gain Trent Richardson.
Both runners look good so far in 2012, with Spiller currently first in rushing and Richardson climbing to 15th based largely on his breakout performance last week at the Bengals.
First, there’s Spiller, who finally seems to have proven to fans he was worth the ninth overall pick in 2010.
After flirting with “bust “territory his first season and a half, C.J. finished 2011 strong in relief of an injured Fred Jackson and has looked even stronger this year when he was asked to do the same.
He currently has 292 rushing yards over two games (a 10.1 per rush average), has six runs over 10 yards (including two 50+ yarders), and has found the end zone three times after scoring just seven TDs the first two years combined.
When you add in his passing yards, an impressive 72 yards on five receptions (14.4 per catch), you start to believe that the Bills were right in taking a slow, patient path in developing Spiller, as the fruits are now truly starting to bloom.
Then, there’s Richardson, who recovered nicely from his 39-yard opening day disappointment to go for 109 on the ground Week 2, getting another 36 yards through the air.
Cleveland’s first round powerhouse looks to be quickly coming into his own in the NFL, displaying an ability to score both through the air and on the ground. Though he’s only averaging 3.9 per carry, Richardson is already starting to look like the dominant power back he was at Alabama and should soon be seeing his name in the top ten of NFL rushers.
However, Trent’s just not there yet and though the Browns’ run de
fense is ranked higher than Buffalo’s, allowing around 20 yards less average, Spiller is still the more complete back right now.
fense is ranked higher than Buffalo’s, allowing around 20 yards less average, Spiller is still the more complete back right now.
C.J. has better vision and a more complete skill-set than the rookie Richardson (to this point), and should have another big game as the Browns have already allowed a 100-yard rushing game this season to the similarly skilled LeSean McCoy.
Add in passing yards and Spiller should have a good fifty over Trent by game’s end Sunday.
It could be a barn burner folks, could be one of the best games these two teams have played this century, and could even reawaken a rivalry that goes back to the formation of the AFL.
Sure, that’s a lot of “coulds”, but this is the NFL and great games happen every week. Here’s hoping this one is another of those games, instead of another 6-3 snorer.
Joshua Bauer is a writer with Football Nation