The Browns will host their final AFC East matchup of the 2025 season when they face the Bills at Huntington Bank Field. Heading into Week 16, Buffalo ranks second in the division with a 10-4 record, while the Browns are last in the AFC North with a 3-11 record.
"Great challenge this week. Really good football team, playing at a high level," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Obviously, ton of respect for Coach (Sean) McDermott and their group. Talented football players, obviously. You watch the tape of this group and they're doing a great job in a bunch of different areas, offense, defense and special teams. So, looking forward to the challenge and understanding that it's going to take our best effort."
Here are three burning questions heading into Week 16.
How will the Browns contain dual threat QB Josh Allen?
The Browns will face a dynamic quarterback in QB Josh Allen, who not only has an elite arm but can also scramble and use his legs to extend plays. Stefanski said Allen can make throws on schedule and to all areas of the field, as well as off-schedule throws. Allen is averaging 8.1 yards per pass attempt this season.
"He's playing at an extremely high level," Stefanski said. "I don't know who's playing better than him at the position. He's done that for a bunch of years now, but the dual-threat nature of what he brings to each play is a challenge for any defense."
This season, Allen has completed 284 of 406 passing attempts for 3,276 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He's thrown 10 total interceptions and been sacked 33 times. Cleveland also has to account for Allen in the run game, who is their second-leading rusher with 98 carries for 535 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Browns' pass defense is the best in the league, as they allow the fewest passing yards per game at 169.1 yards. With their ability to rush the passer and apply pressure, as well as cover pass catchers, the Browns can look to limit Allen's ability to move the ball downfield through the air.
"Great quarterback," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "He's developed every year; he's MVP for a reason. We got our work cut out for us, not just in the passing game, but also the way he uses his legs to scramble to buy time to create in the passing game, but also to run for yardage."
How will the Browns stop the Bills' run game?
The Browns have another tough matchup in the run game as they face the Bills, who lead the league averaging 158.5 rushing yards per game. RB James Cook III leads Buffalo with 271 carries for 1,415 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Cook averages 5.2 yards per rush attempt, and his longest run this season was for 64 yards.
"He's outstanding. The speed on every run scheme, to play between the tackles or bounce it to either side – he uses all 53 and a third of the field. Really, really talented player," Stefanski said.
The Browns have struggled to stop the run in their last two games, giving up a few key big plays in each game. Schwartz said they also struggled to control the run, giving opposing offenses chances to consistently run the ball. They gave up 184 net rushing yards to the Titans in Week 14 and 142 net rushing yards to the Bears in Week 15. The Browns now rank 14th in the league, allowing an average of 110.1 rushing yards per game.
"We have to control the game by stopping the run," Schwartz said. "We have as big of a challenge as we've had the whole season with the run game of Buffalo, not just with James Cook – who's an outstanding running back that can threaten all 53 and a third of the field, and he can run with power between the tackles – but you also have to include the quarterback's legs – he's rushed for 500 and some yards also. So, 2,000 yards between the two of them. […] If you allow a team to run the ball that way, then they're going to be able to control the game. So, I'd probably say that's probably the biggest thing for us."
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.
How can the Browns utilize the run game against the Bills?
The Browns have an opportunity to utilize the run game to open opportunities in the pass game against the Bills, as Buffalo allows an average of 143.1 rushing yards per game — the third-most in the league.
"I think we have to find a balance," offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. "We have to find the ability to run the ball. It's kind of been hot and cold for us throughout the year, and we got to really rely on that and find ways to get Q (Quinshon Judkins) going and allow our offense to be complementary. When you can run the ball well, it really opens up a lot of things, and you can stay efficient, and it keeps you in better situations on third down. So definitely a huge point of emphasis for us."
Judkins leads the Browns with 222 carries for 805 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He is averaging 3.6 yards per carry and 61.9 rushing yards per game through 13 games.
The Browns average 92.4 rushing yards per game, ranked 29th in the league, and 3.8 yards per rush attempt. However, if they can create a balanced use of the run and pass game, QB Shedeur Sanders can take advantage when the pass game opens. The Bills allow the second-fewest passing yards per game at 169.5, which could limit opportunities for Sanders to move the ball downfield through the air.
"They do a lot of good things in coverage," Rees said. "They got veteran players in the back end that have been in that system a long time. Obviously, head coach 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. They focus on coverage."
