Four keys for the Buffalo Bills to beat the Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett’s reputation is well known. The Browns' pass rusher has been dominant, and he can set the single-season sack record Sunday against the Bills.
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1. Watch the rest of the defense
Myles Garrett’s reputation is well known. The Browns' pass rusher has been dominant, and he can set the single-season sack record Sunday against the Bills. But Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen isn’t just looking at Garrett’s film. “He's not the only guy that they got,” Allen said Wednesday. “They've got a really, really great unit. Got a really good secondary, two of the top corners in the league. They've got one of the best rookies playing their linebacker position. So yeah, you've got to be all hands on deck and it's going to take every single guy to go out there and accomplish what we need to accomplish.”
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, celebrates after sacking 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy with defensive end Cameron Thomas
on Nov. 30 in Cleveland. Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press
2. Gear up for Garrett
That said, the Bills still need to zero in on Garrett specifically. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady knows that’s no easy task. “He's literally the best there is,” Brady said Monday of Garrett. “And it's going to be a huge challenge for us. We're going to obviously sort through that, but it's a great opportunity for our guys. He's the best, and for us to be able to rise to that occasion and block the best.” A nine-year veteran, Garrett is at a whopping 21½ sacks this season. Garrett has played the Bills just twice, logging one sack in 2022. But he’s on a tear right now, and the Bills offense will have to contain him.
3. Get to Sanders
The Browns are rolling with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Bills will want to rattle Sanders, who threw three interceptions in his last outing against the Chicago Bears. As head coach of the Bills, Sean McDermott is 9-4 against rookie quarterbacks in the regular season. And for quarterbacks in their first seven starts, McDermott is 11-0. It’s Shedeur’s fifth start. “Good player, good young player, off to a great start,” McDermott said Wednesday of Sanders. “Dangerous with the tool set that he brings to the table. And he's done a great job. I think their offense has actually ratcheted up since he's been under center. So that'll be a big challenge for us.”
4. Finish healthy
This has been a key to the game before, and it will be a key to the game again, as long as the Bills have their sights set on larger goals. The three-win Browns are beatable, as many other teams have shown. Their point differential is minus 106, as the offensive output is dismal. The Bills should be able to take advantage and notch their fourth straight win, but it’s critical that they don’t let injuries pile up even more. The team is trying to manage tight end Dalton Kincaid’s injury for the long term, and he’s one case to watch as they try to finish the game healthy.
– Katherine Fitzgerald, News Sports Reporter
