The Browns host the Bills in Week 16 in their second-to-last home game at Huntington Bank Field this season. Cleveland can secure their second win against an AFC East team, while the Bills can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Texans or Colts loss or tie.
"We're really pleased with the guys and the details and the understanding that everybody has to do their job in a game like this and understand what is at stake and all those things," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Still finishing touches tomorrow but pleased with the work the guys put in this week."
As the Browns aim to beat Buffalo and win another home game this season, here are three keys to the game.
Overcome the Bills' talented pass defense
The Browns' offense will face a tough test in passing the ball against a Bills' defense that has shut down opposing quarterbacks. Buffalo allows 169.5 passing yards per game, the second fewest in the NFL behind the Browns.
The Bills have allowed just four teams to throw for 200 or more passing yards in a game against them this season. They have limited quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud and Baker Mayfield to under 200 passing yards.
"They do a lot of good things in coverage," offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. "They have veteran players in the back end that have been in that system a long time. Obviously, head coach (Sean McDermott) is a defensive back guy by trade and they take a lot of pride, in their ability to have a vary of coverage, to have disguise in their coverages and trying to keep you off balance. They do a really nice job there."
QB Shedeur Sanders will be tasked with finding a way to diagnose the Bills' defensive disguises and leading the Browns' offense down the field. Sanders has notched 200-plus yard passing performances in two of his four career starts, including a 364-yard performance against the Titans in Week 14.
"Whatever's called -- Run, pass, anything, speed option -- I'm ready for it," Sanders said. "So, whatever it takes to win, I'm excited for it. Having those challenges, going against the Bears, going against all these great teams, I'm excited for it. I never ducked challenges and I'm thankful for it because I'm able to see everything."
Limit Khalil Shakir after the catch
WR Khalil Shakir is a threat the Browns need to contain, not only because of his chemistry with QB Josh Allen but also because of what he can do after the catch. Shakir is ninth in the NFL with 487 yards after catch and leads the Bills with 650 receiving yards. Shakir's yards after the catch also account for 74.9 percent of his total receiving yards.
In Week 4 against the Saints, Shakir caught a screen three yards behind the line of scrimmage, split two tacklers and powered through contact for a 44-yard touchdown. In Week 12 against the Texans, Allen dumped the ball to Shakir six yards behind the line of scrimmage on third-and-12, and Shakir juked two defenders and then raced 32 more yards up the sideline.
The Browns need to make sure whenever Shakir gets the ball, they gang tackle and bring him down. Cleveland has allowed 6.9 yards per completion, tied for 12th-fewest in the NFL. Shakir averages 10.9 yards per reception and with his ability to turn short catches into long gains, Cleveland needs to limit his post-catch options.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
A football during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Offensive guard Wesley French (62) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) and Cornerback Sam Webb (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Pass Game Specialist Nick Charlton during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Tight Ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Tight end Caden Prieskorn (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Assistant Athletic Trainer Stefan Varner during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Cornerback Sam Webb (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Assistant Director of Equipment Operations Vincent Herzog during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Defensive back D'Angelo Ross (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees and Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Bill Willis Coaching Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Hoke during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
Defensive Assistant Zach Dunn during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 18, 2025.
The linebackers during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 17, 2025.
Continue protecting the football
The Browns have been a top 10 team in the NFL at protecting the ball on runs. They have fumbled the ball six times and are tied for the seventh fewest in the NFL. Cleveland, however, has recovered every fumble and is one of five teams to never lose the ball.
RB Quinshon Judkins has led Cleveland's run game this season, rushing for 805 yards and seven touchdowns. Judkins hasn't fumbled the ball this season but will be challenged by DE Joey Bosa and the Bills. With RB Dylan Sampson out, Judkins could have more carries than the 17.1 carries per game he has averaged if the Browns can establish the run game.
Judkins will need to continue his strong ball security against the Bills who has excelled at punching balls out and can capitalize on turnovers. Buffalo has 13 forced fumbles, tied for fourth in the NFL. Bosa leads the NFL with five forced fumbles and is a threat on the defensive line. When Judkins runs the ball near his area, he will need to be conscious of Bosa's ability to knock the ball out. Bosa's forced fumbles have created opportunities for players like LB Terrel Bernard and CB Christian Benford to have two fumble recoveries.
"It's super important because of different weather conditions – raining, snowing, field's wet," Judkins said. "They have a lot of takeaways and that's something we're going to harp in our gameplan and try and go out there and protect the ball."
