As the Browns entered the fourth quarter in their Week 16 matchup against the Bills, they were down 23-17 with time left to take a lead. However, Cleveland was unable to score a touchdown on its final three possessions, losing 23-20 to Buffalo.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that against a team like Buffalo, the Browns needed to finish the game strong in order to earn a win.
"In these games versus good football teams, you're going to be in a battle, and you got to come through in the end and we did not," Stefanski said. "That's the frustrating part. Obviously, there's good things throughout a game like that, but disappointed to not be able to finish in that fourth quarter based on where we were."
The Browns need to have a smooth operation against the Steelers in Week 17, who can clinch the AFC North with a win.
Here are the main pieces of news heading into the divisional matchup.
Browns have trust in the running back room amid injuries
With RB Quinshon Judkins requiring surgery on a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula he suffered against the Bills, the Browns will rely on the running backs behind him.
However, there are other questions in running back room, as RB Dylan Sampson missed Week 16 with a hand injury. Stefanski said Sampson has continued to improve by the day and is waiting to see how Sampson looks ahead of Week 17 against the Steelers to determine his status. Even if Sampson is out, Stefanski expressed trust in running backs like Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams.
Sanders and Williams took charge of the rushing attack when Judkins went down in the second quarter against Buffalo. Sanders finished with 42 rushing yards on 11 carries, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. Williams had a role in both the rushing and passing attack, rushing for 17 yards on three carries and leading Cleveland in receiving yards with four catches for 38 yards.
Williams provided an open target for QB Shedeur Sanders, including a 26-yard catch that began with Williams finding open space. Williams followed G Joel Bitonio as his lead blocker before finding his way to the Buffalo 40-yard line.
"Both guys really understand what we're doing with our schemes. I thought they both had really good moments," Stefanski said. "Rocket (Raheim Sanders) had a couple hard yards in there where he ran between the tackles, kept his legs moving. Obviously, Trayveon made some plays in the pass game as well. So, we're counting on those guys, and we'll be counting on them this week as well."
Browse action photos from the Browns' 2025 Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills, featuring top plays and moments.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Center Luke Wypler (56) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) and Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) and Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Teven Jenkins (74) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Teven Jenkins (74) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) and Offensive guard Teven Jenkins (74) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Teven Jenkins (74) and Center Luke Wypler (56) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5), Cornerback Myles Harden (26) and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5), Cornerback Myles Harden (26) and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94), Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57), Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49), and Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Cam Robinson (68) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33), Cornerback Myles Harden (26), Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Cam Robinson (68) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) and Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) and Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Shedeur Sanders adding versatility to the quarterback position
As Shedeur Sanders saw white jerseys surrounding him on third-and-7 in the second quarter, he made the decision to scramble out of the pocket. Bills DE Greg Rousseau swiped at his jersey but couldn't grab hold, allowing him to slip away. Shedeur Sanders picked up the first down and withstood contact for a 13-yard gain to the Cleveland 45-yard line.
The elusiveness and playmaking from Shedeur Sanders against Buffalo helped him finish with 49 rushing yards on four carries, leading the Browns in rushing yards.
"We talked during the week about, we thought there may be some moments that he'll be able to tuck it and go, and I thought he did a nice job early," Stefanski said. "Those are very, very real yards. It's a tough dynamic for a defense to have to defend the quarterback when he tucks it and can go. So that's all part of his game."
Another part of Shedeur Sanders' game is his ability to throw the long ball, but Buffalo took that away in Week 16. Shedeur Sanders instead took advantage of what the Bills' defense gave him. He threw for 157 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo and completed 20 of 29 passing attempts, a 69 percent mark and his career high completion percentage. Shedeur Sanders didn't throw a pass longer than 12 yards through the air, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
"I think when you watch it, you always go into a game understanding the defense that you're playing and the things that they do that maybe preclude you from taking some of those plays," Stefanski said. "Doesn't mean you don't call them and take them when they're there. But I'd say you have to go into every game understanding that the defense has a plan of attack and have to take what they give you."
His next test will be against the Steelers' defense in Week 17 in his first action against Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat Cleveland 23-9 in Week 6, in a game where QB Dillon Gabriel threw 52 times for 221 yards and was sacked six times.
"It's going to be a matter of understanding this defense, this Pittsburgh defense, which is different than the team we played before," Stefanski said. "Obviously, Shedeur did not play in the first Pittsburgh game, so first time versus that group. So, you really have to spend a lot of time this week getting to know this defensive front, their coverages, those types of things."
