Geoff JohnsonThe Cleveland Browns want to win their third straight game in the season when they host the Buffalo Bills, this Thursday at 8:25 PM ET at FirstEnergy Stadium in the opening game of Week 5.
Both teams are 2-2 and coming off wins in week 4. The Browns beat the Bengals 17-6 on Sunday with QB Brian Hoyer throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns in the victory; he’s not the official starting quarterback of the team, but it will be hard for Brandon Weeden to win his job back.
“He played well again (versus Baltimore) and for the past two weeks,” coach Rob Chudzinski said. “Obviously, we’ve been able to win in those games and in a short week we’ll get ready and be ready to play Thursday.”
The Bills upset the Baltimore Ravens last week 23-20 interception QB Joe Flacco 5 times. However, keep in mind they lost the only game they’ve played away from home this season.
Buffalo is the second best team in the NFL running the ball with an average of 152 yards per game; they will face the 4th best rushing defense on Thursday night.
Buffalo receiver Stevie Johnson is questionable with a hamstring injury; running back CJ Spiller has an ankle problem, and Fred Jackson was a limited participant on Monday’s walkthrough practice with a MCL problem again. Also, defensive back starters Jairus Byrd and Leodis McKelvin could miss the game on Thursday.
“It just shows you, like I’ve heard Fred (Jackson) saying, ‘We’re not the same Bills,” safety Da’Norris Searcy said. “I would say fans are starting to believe. And we’re going to keep believing and keep pushing.”
The NFL odds have the Browns as 4 point favorites, and the game total is set at 41 points.
