Buffalo edged Cleveland 23-20 on December 21, 2025, in a tense Week 16 matchup at Huntington Bank Field that had playoff implications for the Bills and a painful, season-ending injury for Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. James Cook carried Buffalo, rushing for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while Josh Allen, limited by a foot issue, finished with 130 passing yards as the Bills improved to 11-4. The Browns fell to 3-12, and Judkins was ruled out after suffering a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle late in the second quarter.
The short version
The Bills built a lead early, relying on the run game and a defense that made key plays late. Buffalo went up 23-10 in the third quarter, Cleveland rallied but could not complete the comeback. Two late sacks, pressure up front, and a final series in which the Browns could not convert gave the Bills the win and moved them closer to clinching a playoff spot.
Game flow and turning points
First half
Buffalo struck early when James Cook broke a 44-yard run to set the tone, and the Bills used physical rushing to create momentum. Josh Allen took a hit late in the first half and underwent X-rays at halftime for a right foot complaint, but he returned and finished the game. The second quarter ended on a sudden, serious injury to Quinshon Judkins, who was carted off the field.
Second half
The Bills extended the lead in the third quarter, and although the Browns scored to close within three, Buffalo's defense staged two crucial stands in the fourth quarter. Defensive pressure forced turnovers and hurried throws, and the Browns were unable to convert their final opportunities into points.
"They made the plays when it mattered, and we came up short at the end," was the prevailing sentiment from the Browns' sideline after the game.
Key performances
- James Cook, RB, Bills: 117 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, the clear offensive engine for Buffalo on the day.
- Josh Allen, QB, Bills: 12 of 19 passing for 130 yards, also contributed on the ground despite favoring his right foot after a late second quarter hit.
- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Browns: Accounted for both passing and rushing contributions, finishing with roughly 157 passing yards and 49 rushing yards, and one touchdown, but he threw two interceptions.
- Quinshon Judkins, RB, Browns: Ran for 22 yards before leaving with a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle, an injury that ended his rookie season.
Statistics at a glance
Team | Final Score | Lead Rusher | Passing Leader | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bills | 23 | James Cook, 117 yards, 2 TDs | Josh Allen, 130 yards | Opponent INTs contributed to 10 points |
Browns | 20 | Raheim Sanders/Shedeur Sanders combo, Judkins 22 before injury | Shedeur Sanders, 157 yards | 2 interceptions by Sanders |
Scoring summary (simplified)
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Q1: Bills 7, Browns 7
Q2: Bills add 13, Browns add 3 (Halftime roughly 20-10)
Q3: Bills add 3, Browns score a TD (23-17)
Q4: Browns add a late field goal, Bills hold for 23-20 final
```
Injuries and their ripple effects
The most consequential moment of the afternoon was the injury to Quinshon Judkins, which medical staff later confirmed will require surgery and will end his rookie season. That loss is immediate and significant for Cleveland, both for the ground game and for short yardage situations the rookie handled effectively. Cleveland must now redistribute carries and rethink matchups for the remainder of the season.
Josh Allen, who left briefly for X-rays at halftime after a hit to his right foot, returned and finished the game. He did not produce typical explosive passing numbers, but he managed the game and made enough plays to help secure the win. Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders showed mobility and poise, but two interceptions cost Cleveland valuable drives.
Coaching choices and strategy
From Buffalo's standpoint, the game reinforced an emerging theme this season, that James Cook can carry a team when needed, and that Buffalo's defense can make critical plays late. Buffalo used a ball control attack at times, leaning on Cook, and added situational defensive pressure that produced sacks and turnovers.
Cleveland, coached with a view toward building around youth, relied on Shedeur Sanders' dual skills, but costly turnovers and the loss of Judkins forced lineup adjustments that the team has to manage. The Browns showed resilience trying to rally, but inconsistencies on offense and shortfalls on third down limited their comeback.
Multiple viewpoints
- Bills perspective: The win was another step toward a seventh straight playoff appearance, a demonstration of depth at running back, and a reminder that the team can grind out close games even when Josh Allen is not at full speed.
- Browns perspective: The team lost a promising rookie to a severe injury, and while there were encouraging plays by Shedeur Sanders and others, the Browns must balance player development with immediate roster needs as they look to close out the season.
- Neutral analyst perspective: The game was a microcosm of why the NFL season is so volatile, one costly injury can reshuffle plans for a franchise, and depth wins matter in December. Buffalo showed taste of playoff readiness, Cleveland will be judged on how it adapts to adversity.
What this means for the postseason picture
Buffalo improved to 11-4 and moved closer to clinching a playoff berth in Week 17. The win increased Buffalo's margin for error, but the team still needed certain results elsewhere to clinch automatically. For Cleveland, the loss did not help a rebuilding effort in a season that had already fallen short of expectations, and the immediate focus shifts to personnel moves and health of the roster.
Looking ahead
Buffalo turns to a late December matchup with a divisional or conference opponent with an eye on seeding and resting players if a clinch becomes mathematically secure. Cleveland must evaluate roster options at running back, and the coaching staff will decide how to distribute snaps and plan for next season as they close out remaining games.
Final takeaways
- Cook carried the day. His performance was the clearest offensive bright spot for Buffalo.
- Judkins' injury is a serious blow. Expect Browns personnel moves and lineup changes immediately.
- Defense decided the game. Buffalo pressure in the fourth quarter and timely plays underpinned the result.
For readers following the teams, the immediate storylines are Buffalo's push for a playoff spot, and Cleveland's recovery from a significant injury while continuing to evaluate younger pieces. The game was a reminder that December in the NFL brings both triumph and sudden setback, often in the same heartbeat.