Playoffs? You Kidding Me!

It is week 13 of the NFL season and both the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills have a winning record.  How rare is this? This is the first time ever that Cleveland and Buffalo have played against each other with winning records after Thanksgiving.  Cleveland is one of four teams in the AFC North that sits at 7-4 or better,  just outside of a potential wild card spot.  Buffalo comes in at 6-5, only a game behind a whole slew of teams at 7-4.  With that being said, this might be considered the biggest Browns-Bills game in a long time considering the playoff spots that are up for grabs.  

Cleveland is coached by Mike Pettine, former defensive coordinator for Buffalo.  The Browns have used an above average defense, and an average offense to get to seven wins so far this season.  Brian Hoyer has had his share of struggles at quarterback this season, but more times than not, he has delivered when needed.  Take last week for example where Hoyer threw three picks at Atlanta, but led a last minute drive to set up the game winning field goal.  Josh Gordon, who was the NFL's leading receiver a year ago, returned last weekend from a 10-game suspension and adds another dimension to this Cleveland Browns offense.  They already have a solid running game, and offensive line to go along with Hoyer, but Gordon gives the Browns a true receiving threat all over the field and could make things difficult for Gilmore and Graham at cornerback.  Cleveland has a defense that should apply a ton of pressure against a weak Buffalo offensive line.  Establishing the run for both teams is huge for opening up the passing game for these average quarterbacks.  

Buffalo is coming off of their most impressive victory this season, a 38-3 blow out in Detroit against the New York Jets.  In the game, the Bills were impressive in the red zone, ran the ball effectively, got a huge play on special teams, and dominated defensively.  Kyle Orton was under control the whole game as he made this his fourth straight game without an interception.  The story of the game however, was Robert Woods and his 9 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.  The Jets weren't about to have Sammy Watkins beat them again, so while he received a majority of double teams, Woods took advantage of single coverage.  It will be interesting to see how Cleveland tries to cover Buffalo's wide receivers.  I expect the Browns number one cornerback, Joe Haden, to be on Sammy Watkins for the majority of this game.  Here are some more keys to this huge AFC contest between playoff hopefuls... Yes, I repeat, the playoffs are still a possibility for both.  

Three Keys to the Game:

1. Win the Battle Up Front:  This is the matchup of the game: Cleveland's O-line v.s. Buffalo's D-line.  Both have been super all year so something has to give.  It is a big reason for why the Browns have had so much success on the ground so if Buffalo can get in the backfield, expect some big plays from Mario, Dareus, and company.  

2. The Pettine Factor:  This one works both ways.  Yes, we know about Pettine's schemes defensively so that could help the Buffalo offense, but on the flip side, Pettine knows the Bills offensive schemes from being with the Buffalo Bills last year.  Which side will get more of an advantage from this?

3.  Josh Gordon v.s. Sammy Watkins:  Two of the best young receivers in the league square off in a must win game for both squads.  The weather is expected to be rainy tomorrow so on a hard day to pass the ball, which receiver will come up and make some big plays? 

My Prediction:   These are two evenly matched teams with a ton still left to play for on both sides.  I like Buffalo's defense just a little more and I feel like the Bills are due for a true home win.  

Buffalo 23   Cleveland 20