James Cook’s 117-yard, two-touchdown performance helped the Buffalo Bills edge the Cleveland Browns 23-20 on Sunday, bringing the Bills closer to a playoff berth.
The game, played in Cleveland, saw the Bills take an early lead with a 13-yard touchdown run by Ty Johnson and a 3-yard run by Cook, setting the tone for a competitive contest that would be decided by a single field goal.
Cook’s 117 yards on 27 carries included a 44-yard run that tied him for second in franchise history for 100-yard games this season, and a 3-yard run that pushed the lead to 20-10 with 2:23 remaining in the first half.
Josh Allen, the league MVP, played through a right-foot injury after being sacked by Myles Garrett and Alex Wright for a 22-yard loss to the Bills’ 1-yard line; he finished 12 of 19 for 130 yards and rushed for 17 yards on seven carries.
Cleveland’s Shedeur Sanders completed 20 of 29 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown, and led the Browns’ rushing attack with four carries for 49 yards, but his two interceptions were converted into 10 points for Buffalo.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. scored both of the Browns’ touchdowns, including a 1-yard run in the third quarter that narrowed the margin to 23-17, but the Bills’ defense held them to 20 points.
Raheim Sanders rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries, stepping up after Quinshon Judkins was carted off with a potentially season-ending leg injury late in the second quarter; NFL Network reported Judkins had a broken leg.
Buffalo capitalized on both of Sanders’ interceptions, with Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter and a 41-yard field goal by Michael Badgley in the third quarter, adding 10 points to the Bills’ total.
Defensively, Myles Garrett recorded his 22nd sack of the season, just one short of the single-season mark needed to surpass Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, while the Bills’ defense forced turnovers that shifted momentum.
Injuries continued to impact both teams; Bills linebacker Shaq Thompson suffered a neck injury in the first quarter and did not return, while Browns running back Quinshon Judkins was carted off with a broken leg and was out for the remainder of the game.
With the victory, the Bills extended their winning streak to four straight games and five of six, tightening their position in the playoff race and demonstrating resilience despite player injuries.
Looking ahead, Buffalo will host Philadelphia next Sunday, while Cleveland will welcome Pittsburgh in their upcoming matchup, both games carrying implications for divisional standings.
Cook’s ninth 100-yard rushing game this season ties him with Thurman Thomas for second in franchise history, and his 1,532 yards place him at the top of the NFL rushing leaderboard ahead of Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor.
Allen’s performance, despite a foot injury, underscores why he was awarded the NFL MVP for the 2024 season, as he continued to lead the Bills offense with accuracy and mobility.
The 23-20 win over the Browns marks another step toward a playoff berth for Buffalo, highlighting the team’s ability to overcome adversity and secure critical victories in close games.
