Bills take two-possession lead into halftime
Buffalo pulled away from Cleveland during the second quarter, beginning with an interception on a deflected pass by S Jordan Poyer at the Bills’ 29-yard line
Allen found RB Ray Davis for 14 yards on the second play of the ensuing possession, going over midfield to the Cleveland 46-yard line. Allen threw for an 18-yard gain to TE Jackson Hawes, allowing Buffalo to go to the ground to score. The Bills ran the ball on six consecutive plays, culminating with RB Ty Johnson scoring on a 2-yard run with 12:54 in the second quarter. Badgley’s extra point bounced off the right upright, keeping the Browns within six.
Cleveland made its way down the field to respond, getting to the Bills’ 4-yard line and gaining 66 yards across nine plays, including Sanders scrambling three times for 38 yards. Buffalo’s defense stiffened up and stuffed the Browns on first and second down. Sanders was injured on second down, leading to QB Dillon Gabriel coming in for third down. As Gabriel looked for an open man and found no one, he tried to scramble but was sacked for a 2-yard loss, forcing fourth down. Szmyt made the ensuing 24-yard field goal to bring Buffalo’s lead to 13-10 with 5:38 left in the second quarter.
Buffalo quickly moved down the field on its next possession, using Allen and RB James Cook to move down the field. Allen completed two of three passing attempts for 39 yards while Cook ran the ball four times for 29 yards. Cook scored his second rushing touchdown of the game with a 3-yard run, bringing Buffalo’s lead to 20-10 with 2:23 left in the quarter.
The Browns had a chance to cut the lead to seven right before halftime with a 48-yard field goal. P Corey Bojorquez couldn’t get a clean hold on the ball, however, and threw the ball out of bounds to end the half.
