Allen Scores Twice In Bills 19-16 Loss To Mayfield, Browns
Run defense. Run defense. Run defense.
Coming into Sunday's game against Cleveland, the Bills rushing defense was their biggest problem - giving up an average of 151 yards to opponents the past three weeks.
The Browns took advantage of the weakness right away. On the second play of the game, Nick Chubb ripped off a 21 yard run, fueling a Browns scoring drive.
Baker Mayfield connected with Jarvis Landry for a 17 yard touchdown. Landry, was penalized with taunting after the score - the penalty pushed the PAT back 15 yards, resulting in a miss.
Down 6-0, the ensuing Buffalo drive was lackluster. On the Cleveland 39 yard line, facing a 4th and 4, Sean McDermott elected to go for it - resulting in a dropped pass by John Brown.
On the next Cleveland drive, the Browns found success on the ground, again.
This time, Chubb's 24 yard gain put the Browns at the one yard line.
But, Cleveland's red zone woe's were put on display. After two pass interference calls on Buffalo's defense, the Browns had eight chances to score from a yard out. Finally, capping off a 14 play drive, Chubb was stopped on 4th and 1.
After 15 minutes, Buffalo's offense left much to be desired. At the end of the first quarter, the Bills had just 12 total yards compared to Cleveland's 141.
The Second Quarter Got Off On a Much Better Note
Buffalo's best drive of the day included a Devin Singletary nine yard carry, a Dawson Knox 12 yard reception and a 20 yard pass to Robert Foster. The drive was capped off with a 10 yard touchdown run by Josh Allen who had a clear path up the middle - his 5th rushing touchdown of the season. Buffalo led 7-6.
Back on defense, the goal line stoppage shined once again - this time stonewalling the Browns three times from three yards out - that drive ended in a field goal giving Cleveland the lead back at 9-7.
Inside two minutes, the Bills started to put together another impressive string of plays. Cole Beasley had a 26 yard reception on his first catch of the day. But, before the half ended, Stephen Hauschka missed a 34 yard field goal. Buffalo trailed 9-7 at the break.
Defense Keeps Buffalo Alive
The Buffalo defense got the Bills on the board in the second half- Tremaine Edmunds picked up his first sack of the season taking down Mayfield for a safety - tying the game at 9.
The Bills offense sputtered after getting the ball back - going three and out. On the ensuing drive, Cleveland retook the lead with another field goal, 12-9.
As the third quarter came to a close, the Bills opted once again to go for it on fourth down in Cleveland territory instead of a Hauschka field goal try. They were stopped once again after an Allen incomplete pass.
Plenty of Opportunities
The fourth quarter opened with three straight punts - but, Buffalo's best opportunity came with under nine minutes to play.
Allen and Beasley linked up again for 26 yards - putting the Bills at the Cleveland 11 yard line. On 3rd down, a bizarre play resulted in Allen fumbling the ball and it being recovered by Jon Feliciano at the one yard line - setting the Bills up with 1st and goal.
Two snaps later, the Bills scored the go ahead touchdown on another Allen keeper to take a 16-12 lead.
This one was far from over.
Following the score, Cleveland drove 82 yards down the field - including a deep pass to Landry for 24 yards. The Browns took the lead back with 1:44 to play - Mayfield hit a wide open Rashard Higgins to make it 19-16.
The Bills had yet another opportunity to win before the game was done.
Buffalo quickly got down the field - settling into Hauschka field goal range - but, the veteran kicker missed from 53 yards, sealing a 19-16 loss for the Bills.
Buffalo falls to 6-3 and will play Miami next week.
