Week 14: Bills vs. Cleveland
at
Sunday, Dec. 12th
1:00pm ET
The Bills hit the final quarter of the season reeling after their worst loss since a week 4 loss to the Jets. Cleveland is much improved and come to Buffalo with five wins on the season. This will be a battle of two teams looking to build for the future.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (2-10) vs. Cleveland (5-7)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 705; Sirius: 108
Announcers: Don Criqui and Steve Beuerlein
Spread: Bills by 1½
Series: Browns lead 10-5 (Bills 0-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Browns Won 3
Last Meeting: Browns 6-3 in Buffalo (2009)
Browns Offense: Rush (14th); Pass (27th); overall (27th)
Browns Defense: Rush (20th); Pass (20th); overall (22nd)
Bills Offense: Rush (17th); Pass (23rd); overall (26th)
Bills Defense: Rush (32nd); Pass (10th); overall (26th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are hurting at linebacker and the offensive line. Geoff Hangartner is out with a knee injury. Eric Wood will be back after missing two games with an ankle injury. He will likely be the snapper this week. The team also hopes to get Terrence McGee back on the field this week, he has been battling a nerve problem. Shawn Nelson should return as well from migraines. Donte Whitner banged up his knee against Minnesota on Sunday but should be fine. Kraig Urbik and Antonio Coleman join Reggie Torbor and Dwan Edwards as players who have gone on IR the past two weeks.

The Browns are likely going to be without rookie QB Colt McCoy again with his ankle injury. LB Titus Brown suffered a head injury last week and remains sidelined. LB Scott Fujita has a knee injury, LB Eric Barton has a shoulder problem, and DL Shaun Rogers also remains sidelined with hip and ankle injuries.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

LB Paul Posluszny vs. RB Peyton Hillis:
With weather expected to be a factor in this game the running game is very crucial Hillis has had a great year for the Browns as he closes in on a 1,000 yard rushing season. Poz is near the top in the league rankings in tackles and will have to make many in this game.

RB Fred Jackson vs. LB Chris Gocong:
Since it's going to be a big running day, Jackson has a chance at getting some major production. Thanks to a very banged up linebacking corps, the Browns will rely on Gocong to make many of the stops.

C Eric Wood vs. Ahtyba Rubin:
Wood makes his first start at center since college and goes against Rubin who is the fourth leading tackler for the Browns.

RT Mansfield Wrotto vs. OLB Marcus Benard:
Wrotto will have to watch for Benard on passing downs since he leads the Browns with 6½ sacks.

S Donte Whitner vs. TE Benjamin Watson:
Whitner has done well against tight ends in recent weeks. Watson is the number one weapon in the passing game for the Browns.

K Rian Lindell vs. K Phil Dawson:
With snow and high winds likely for this game it may come down to the field goal kickers. Both of these guys know how to kick in adverse conditions so it may come down to a big kick in this game.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: December in Orchard Park means they have to run early and often. Look for Jackson to be the key player on this day as the weather may alter the passing game.

When The Browns Have The Ball: Even if the weather is perfect, the Browns will try to run against the last place run defense. The Browns don't have a good passing attack with Jake Delhomme at the controls so they will run with Hillis all day long.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills have a bona fide chance in this game if they can at least slow down the running game of Cleveland. Recent history between these two teams shows that they usually play low scoring games and the weather is expected to be a factor which should keep the scoring down:
Bills 13, Browns 10

Season Prediction Record: (9-3)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-6)

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