The two teams are playing in Detroit due to a massive snowstorm in Western New York.
DETROIT — Through the opening half of play at the neutral Ford Field in Detroit, the Browns trail the Buffalo Bills 13-10.
Here are 3 observations from the first 30 minutes of action:
1. Defensive report
With the game being played indoors instead of snowy Buffalo, most expected the high-powered Bills to run roughshod over the Browns’ shaky defense. So far, however, that has not necessarily been the case, with Cleveland holding Buffalo to an underwhelming 134 yards as a team. Josh Allen, who has been battling an elbow injury, is 9-of-16 for only 84 yards and was sacked once by Myles Garrett.
But as they tend to do, the Bills found their rhythm in the final drive before intermission, with Allen completing 5-of-6 throws on a 78-yard march that ended with a 5-yard touchdown to a wide-open Stefon Diggs. Overall, the Browns held their own, but Buffalo will get the ball to start the third quarter and now has a bit of momentum.
2. Brissett-to-Cooper connection
Jacoby Brissett has been more than solid again in his second-to-last outing as the starting quarterback, completing 13-of-18 passes for 156 yards and a 116.9 rating. 91 of those yards have gone to Amari Cooper on six receptions, including a juggling 25-yard touchdown grab on the opening drive. Cooper has been invaluable since arriving in Cleveland, providing the team its best receiving threat in years.
3. Costly mistakes
Unfortunately, the Browns have not been immune to errors, particularly when it comes to dropped passes. They were forced to settle for a field goal when tight ends Harrison Bryant and Pharaoh Brown couldn’t haul in wide-open throws in the end zone. Buffalo also got three of their own after Brissett couldn’t handle a snap from third-string center Hjalte Froholdt, who is playing after an injury to Ethan Pocic.