DETROIT — The Buffalo Bills have regained their composure in Detroit.
Josh Allen threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs late in the first half and the Bills edged the Cleveland Browns 31-23 on Sunday following the NFL moved the game due to several feet of snow covering western New York State.
“We’re back on track,” Diggs said.
The Bills (7-3) avoided losing a third straight halftime lead by scoring on all five possessions in the second half and protecting the ball better.
Perhaps leaving their snowy home will prove a trigger for the Bulls, a Super Bowl contender who was on a bad streak.
“When you go through an experience like that, it can bring a team together,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said.
Allen completed 18 of 27 passes for 197 yards, including a touchdown pass.
This performance is in contrast to his last three games where he threw six of his 10 interceptions for the season. Allen also fumbled a throw-in in the end zone in last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Bills running backs Devin Singletary and James Cook each had 86 yards, which allowed Allen to better distribute offensive duties.
The Browns (3-7) managed to narrow the gap to eight points in the final moments of the game, setting the table for a short kick. Bills receiver Gabe Davis was unable to catch the ball, but running back Taiwan Jones pushed the object out of bounds.
“We’re looking for a win and how we can get it,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. I know the guys give the effort. We just have to finish the games and that’s very frustrating.”
Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett found takers on 28 of 41 throw-ins for 324 yards — two shy of his career high — to wrap up his best performance of the season.
Brissett completed three touchdown passes. First he spotted Amari Cooper on the game’s first possession with a 25-yard pass, then he found Cooper once more on 7 yards with 4:11 left in the final quarter to bring the Browns to 12 points behind. Bills and finally completed a 2-yard pass to Donovan Peoples Jones in the last minute of the game.
The Bills had lost their home field advantage due to the storm, but the team did their best to present some familiar sights and sounds at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Several supporters of both teams attended the match.
“It was a very pleasant atmosphere,” said Bills safety Jordan Poyer.
The Bills, who will return to Detroit to face the Lions there on American Thanksgiving, started the game with difficulty following a week disturbed by the storm.
“We might have sagged and given ourselves an excuse,” Allen expressed.
