Bills brace for snow, Browns’ Hillis

Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.

Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay doesn’t need a meteorologist to know the forecast for today’s game against the Cleveland Browns: a mix of snow, rain and a good chance of Peyton Hillis.

Snow and rain he can deal with.

“I would expect nothing less,” Kelsay said, aware there’s a chance of a blizzard blowing in off of Lake Erie this weekend.

Handling Hillis, the Browns young and powerful running back, now there’s the true test.

“I think it’s going to be a game where they come in here and pound the football and see how we’ll hold up against it,” Kelsay said. “And we haven’t held up against the run very well the last couple of weeks.”

Try all year. The Bills (2-10) are allowing a league-worst 171 yards rushing and have given up 200 yards six times this season.

And Hillis is no slouch. In his first season in Cleveland (5-7), the bruising back leads the team with 962 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns (11 rushing, two receiving). He has accounted for more than half of the Browns’ 25 touchdowns, and also leads the team with 53 catches.

If the Browns are intent on showing they’re finally turning the corner, then this is an opportune chance to inch closer to .500 for the first time since ending the 2007 season at 10-6.

“I think we’re making some strides in terms of learning how to win consistently,” Browns coach Eric Mangini said.