Bills defeat Browns, lose another running back

CJ Spiller injured in 24-14 victory over the Cleveland

CJ Spiller had 170 all purpose yards last week versus Kansas City and was on pace for a similar performace before going down with a shoulder injury against Cleveland 

It’s been over a year, but the Buffalo Bills have finally done it.

The Bills won their first road game since Week 1 of the 2011 season versus Kansas City with a 24-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

A surprising feat for a team that last year seemed destined for its first playoff appearance since 1999 when they started the season 5-2 and were atop the AFC East.

Early on it was the CJ Spiller show again for Buffalo (2-1).

After quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick found a wide open TJ Graham in the end zone for the early score it was all Spiller.  The third year pro was hit with a short pass and scampered 32 yards to the end zone to add to Buffalo’s lead.

Spiller was by far the biggest threat offensively for the Bills as he compiled 58 yards from scrimmage before the first quarter had come to end.

However, the league’s leading rusher was hurt on a seemingly innocent play with three minutes left in the first quarter and did not return.

Spiller caught a short screen pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick and immediately rumbled for 10 yards before being tackled.

However, the Florida native fell hard on his left shoulder and was in obvious pain immediately afterwards. He was later carted off to the locker room for further evaluation.

Spiller was averaging over 10 yards a carry on the season before the injury.

The Bills had to turn to their third string running back, Tashard Choice, who filled in well with 91 yards on the ground.

After the injury it was the Browns (0-3) who seemingly had all the momentum. Trent Richardson, the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, ran for his second touchdown of his young career late in the second quarter to cut the Bills lead in half, 14-7.

Then, after a Rian Lindell field goal, rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden found Travis Benjamin in the end zone to crawl within a field goal.

However, that’s as close as the Browns got as the Bills seemingly found another gear and turned the game back in their favour.

Fitzpatrick hit Stevie Johnson from nine yards out for his third touchdown in three games early in the fourth quarter.

Then cornerback Leodis McKelvin sealed the victory for the Bills when he intercepted a pass by Weeden with five minutes left to play.

It was the Browns ninth straight loss dating back to last season.

The Bills return home to face the New England Patriots next Sunday.

About this article

By: Evan Peaslee
Posted: Sep 23 2012 6:31 pm
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Filed under: Football Sports
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