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Browns’ follies trigger Bills’ third triumph
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis (40) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Buffalo Bills defender Jairus Byrd (31) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) assists on the play.
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Associated Press
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.
A comedy of errors by the Cleveland Browns was just what the Buffalo Bills needed to come away with another victory.
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s touchdown pass, a pair of 19-yard field goals by Rian Lindell and a series of miscues by the Browns helped the Bills to a 13-6 win on Sunday.
While both teams prepared for snowy conditions that never developed, a game of mistakes ensued, with the Brown fumbling five times, losing two, and Jake Delhomme throwing an interception late in the game.
“With the weather that was in front of us, we knew we would have to grind it out,” Fitzpatrick said. “Actually, I think the weather was a little bit better than we expected.”
The Browns (5-8) were not.
Fitzpatrick hit David Nelson for an 11-yard TD pass in the second quarter, and the Bills essentially watched the Browns self-destruct on a cold, drizzly day.
The Bills (3-10) won for the third time in five games, and bounced back from a 38-14 loss at Minnesota last weekend.
“We’re not fighting for a lot but pride right now,” running back Fred Jackson. “We want to come in and finish the season strong.”
Jackson finished with 112 yards rushing, and Fitzpatrick was 14 of 23 for 142 yards and a touchdown. Nelson made an over-the-shoulder catch in the middle of the end zone to cap a 14-play, 89-yard drive early into the second quarter.
Lindell then hit his field goals, and the Bills defense did the rest in limiting the Browns to nine first downs and 187 yards offense.
The Browns contributed with a string of errors, featuring a Delhomme-led offense that failed to cross midfield on its five second-half possessions.
Cleveland was eliminated from playoff contention and looked nothing like the team that had won four of its previous six games — including consecutive victories over New Orleans and New England.
“It’s self-inflicted wounds,” Browns coach Eric Mangini said. “Three turnovers and putting the ball on the ground at other points — you can’t do that.”
In going 12 of 20 for 86 yards, Delhomme contributed to the loss with two turnovers in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Arthur Moats knocked the ball out of the quarterback’s hand early in the fourth quarter to set up Lindell’s second field goal that put the Bills up 13-6.
Two possessions later, Delhomme was hit just as he released a pass, which fluttered into the air and was easily intercepted by Leodis McKelvin. The Bills took over with 3:51 left and ran out the clock.
“It’s very disappointing,” said Delhomme, making his third straight start in place of injured rookie Colt McCoy. “We didn’t play good football. We can’t blame it on anything.”
Delhomme wasn’t the only Browns player having difficulty handling the ball.
The Browns were so sloppy that on their second possession of the third quarter, they fumbled three times — Peyton Hillis twice and Joshua Cribbs once — but somehow managed to recover the ball each time before being forced to punt.