In a hard-fought Sunday showdown, the Buffalo Bills edged the Cleveland Browns 23-20, thanks to James Cook’s 117-yard, two-touchdown performance and Josh Allen’s gritty play through a foot injury.
Game Overview
The Bills took an early lead with Cook’s explosive 44-yard run midway through the first quarter, a drive that saw him elude tackles from Mohamoud Diabate and Adin Huntington. A 3-yard carry with 2:23 remaining pushed the score to 20-10. Cleveland answered with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders to Harold Fannin Jr., but the Bills held their ground.
Key Performances
- James Cook – 117 yards, 2 touchdowns, 9th 100-yard game of the season, tying Thurman Thomas for second in franchise history. His 1,532 rushing yards now lead the NFL.
- Josh Allen – 12 of 19 for 130 yards, 17 rushing yards on seven carries, and a 22-yard loss to a sack by Myles Garrett and Alex Wright, yet he played the second half despite a right-foot injury.
- Ty Johnson – 11-yard rush for a touchdown early in the second quarter.
- Shedeur Sanders – 20 of 29 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown; 4 carries for 49 yards; two interceptions.
- Harold Fannin Jr. – Scored both Browns’ touchdowns, including a 1-yard run in the third quarter.
- Raheim Sanders – 42 yards on 11 carries; Quinshon Judkins, the Browns’ running back, was carted off with a potentially season-ending leg injury, later reported as a broken leg.
Turnover Impact
The Bills capitalized on both of Sanders’ interceptions. Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run came early in the second quarter, and a 41-yard field goal by Michael Badgley added three points in the third quarter, giving Buffalo a decisive advantage.
Injury Highlights
- Josh Allen – Right-foot injury sustained after a sack; continued to play the second half.
- Bills LB Shaq Thompson – Neck injury in the first quarter, did not return.
- Browns RB Quinshon Judkins – Carted off late in the second quarter; out for the remainder of the game.
Historical Context
Cook’s 1,532 rushing yards now put him ahead of Jonathan Taylor, who sits at 1,443. OJ Simpson remains the franchise’s single-season rushing record holder with 11 games of 100+ yards.
Looking Ahead
Buffalo will host Philadelphia next Sunday, while Cleveland will face Pittsburgh the following week. The Bills’ 23-20 win keeps them inching closer to a playoff berth, extending their streak to four straight victories and five of six overall.
Key Takeaways
- James Cook’s 117-yard, two-touchdown game was pivotal in the Bills’ 23-20 win.
- Josh Allen played through a right-foot injury, contributing 130 passing yards and 17 rushing yards.
- The Bills capitalized on turnovers, converting both of Shedeur Sanders’ interceptions into points.
The game showcased the Bills’ resilience and offensive firepower, with Cook’s record-tying performance and Allen’s determination keeping the team on track for postseason contention.
