Final2025 Week 16

Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH

Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns, Week 16 2025

Buffalo Bills

AwayWon

23

Cleveland Browns

Home

20

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Bills7133023
Browns737320

BUF 23CLE 20 Final

  • Passing leader

    Shedeur Sanders

    CLE · QB

    13.2PPR pts

    20/29, 157 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    James Cook III

    BUF · RB

    26.4PPR pts

    16 ATT, 117 YDS, 2 TD, 1 REC, 17 REC YDS

  • Browns leader

    Harold Fannin Jr.

    CLE · TE

    19.5PPR pts

    4 REC, 34 YDS, 1 TD, 1 RUSH TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Jordan Poyer

    BUF

    1 INT, 0.5 SACK, 11 TKL

Bills 23, Browns 20: Buffalo holds off Cleveland

Buffalo led 20–10 at halftime and won 23–20, though Cleveland took the second half 10–3. Cleveland outgained the Bills 294–259, but the Bills averaged 5.2 yards per play.

The Browns went 8-for-14 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Bills finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

  • +0.6 yards/play BUF 5.2 · CLE 4.6
  • +2 turnover margin BUF 0 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Bills Won

Buffalo won the efficiency and turnover battles.

Team stats comparison, Bills vs Browns
BillsStatBrowns
5.2Yards per play4.6
0Turnovers2
Other team stats
259Total yards294
50Plays64
25%Third-down conversion57%
24:37Time of possession35:23

Scoring Summary

The Bills scored three touchdowns and one field goal; the Browns scored two touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Bills vs Browns
TimeTeamPlayBUFCLE
1st quarter
10:42CLEShedeur Sanders → Harold Fannin Jr., 13-yard TD Takes leadAndre Szmyt XP07
7:47BUFJames Cook III 44-yard TD run Ties gameMichael Badgley XP77
2nd quarter
12:54BUFTy Johnson 2-yard TD run Takes leadXP missed137
5:38CLEAndre Szmyt 24-yard FG1310
2:23BUFJames Cook III 3-yard TD run Extends leadMichael Badgley XP2010
3rd quarter
9:37BUFMichael Badgley 41-yard FG Extends lead2310
1:36CLEHarold Fannin Jr. 1-yard TD runAndre Szmyt XP2317
4th quarter
8:46CLEAndre Szmyt 41-yard FG2320

Fantasy Points: Bills vs Browns, Week 16 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. James CookBUFRB26.4 PTSRB6
  2. Harold FanninCLETE19.5 PTSTE2
  3. Shedeur SandersCLEQB13.2 PTSQB22
  4. Quinshon JudkinsCLERB10.1 PTSRB30

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Shedeur SandersCLEQB13.2QB2220/2915712449064.9Start/Sit →
Josh AllenBUFQB6.9QB2712/1913000717083.2Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
James CookBUFRB26.4RB6RB16117221170
Harold FanninCLETE19.5TE2TE11164341
Quinshon JudkinsCLERB10.1RB30RB822065290Start/Sit →
Trayveon WilliamsCLERB9.5RB34RB317044380
Ty JohnsonBUFRB7.6RB42RB3161————Start/Sit →
Khalil ShakirBUFWR7.4WR54WR———54340Start/Sit →
Malachi CorleyCLEWR6.1WR64WR330042110Start/Sit →
Raheim SandersCLERB5.6RB49RB114201140Start/Sit →
Ray DavisBUFRB5.4RB50RB314022200Start/Sit →
Jackson HawesBUFTE4.6TE35TE———22260Start/Sit →
Jerry JeudyCLEWR4.2WR81WR———43120Start/Sit →
Tyrell ShaversBUFWR3.1WR90WR———21210Start/Sit →
Isaiah BondCLEWR2.0WR100WR1-10————Start/Sit →
Dawson KnoxBUFTE2.0TE51TE———21100Start/Sit →
Cedric TillmanCLEWR1.8WR105WR———1180Start/Sit →
Joshua PalmerBUFWR1.2WR114WR———1120Start/Sit →
Brandin CooksBUFWR0.0—WR———1000Start/Sit →
Dalton KincaidBUFTE0.0—TE———1000Start/Sit →
Brenden BatesCLETE0.0—TE———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Buffalo Bills

Snap Share

  1. Joshua PalmerWR35 snaps70%
  2. Dawson KnoxTE34 snaps68%
  3. Jackson HawesTE32 snaps64%
  4. Tyrell ShaversWR29 snaps58%
  5. James CookRB28 snaps56%

Target Share18 targets

  1. Khalil Shakir28%, 5 targets
  2. Dawson Knox11%, 2 targets
  3. James Cook11%, 2 targets
  4. Tyrell Shavers11%, 2 targets
  5. Ray Davis11%, 2 targets
  6. Other28%, 5 targets

Carry Share29 carries

  1. James Cook55%, 16 carries
  2. Josh Allen24%, 7 carries
  3. Ty Johnson10%, 3 carries
  4. Ray Davis10%, 3 carries

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. Harold FanninTE57 snaps86%
  2. Jerry JeudyWR48 snaps73%
  3. Isaiah BondWR32 snaps48%
  4. Cedric TillmanWR31 snaps47%
  5. Malachi CorleyWR30 snaps45%

Target Share27 targets

  1. Harold Fannin22%, 6 targets
  2. Quinshon Judkins22%, 6 targets
  3. Trayveon Williams15%, 4 targets
  4. Jerry Jeudy15%, 4 targets
  5. Malachi Corley15%, 4 targets
  6. Other11%, 3 targets

Carry Share31 carries

  1. Raheim Sanders35%, 11 carries
  2. Quinshon Judkins26%, 8 carries
  3. Shedeur Sanders13%, 4 carries
  4. Trayveon Williams10%, 3 carries
  5. Malachi Corley10%, 3 carries
  6. Other6%, 2 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Harold FanninCLETE5786%622%1
Jerry JeudyCLEWR4873%415%0
Joshua PalmerBUFWR3570%16%0
Dawson KnoxBUFTE3468%211%0
Jackson HawesBUFTE3264%211%0
Tyrell ShaversBUFWR2958%211%0
James CookBUFRB2856%211%16
Isaiah BondCLEWR3248%00%1
Khalil ShakirBUFWR2448%528%0
Cedric TillmanCLEWR3147%14%0
Malachi CorleyCLEWR3045%415%3
Brenden BatesCLETE2842%14%0
Quinshon JudkinsCLERB2639%622%8
Dalton KincaidBUFTE1938%16%0
Blake WhiteheartCLETE2436%00%0
Ty JohnsonBUFRB1632%00%3
Trayveon WilliamsCLERB2030%415%3
Raheim SandersCLERB2030%14%11
Brandin CooksBUFWR1224%16%0
Reggie GilliamBUFRB1122%00%0
Ray DavisBUFRB816%211%3
Gage LarvadainCLEWR58%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+12.7James Cook III26.4 PTS vs 13.7 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−6.1Josh Allen6.9 PTS vs 13.0 xFP
  • Highest expected volume15.5 xFPShedeur Sanders13.2 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Shedeur SandersCLE · QB13.215.5−2.398%29 att—29413%00%
Quinshon JudkinsCLE · RB10.115.4−5.339%26% car—0826%622%
James Cook IIIBUF · RB26.413.7+12.756%55% car—01655%211%
Josh AllenBUF · QB6.913.0−6.1100%19 att—19724%00%
Harold Fannin Jr.CLE · TE19.510.9+8.686%22% tgt—013%622%
Malachi CorleyCLE · WR6.18.8−2.745%15% tgt—0310%415%
Raheim SandersCLE · RB5.68.8−3.230%35% car—01135%14%
Trayveon WilliamsCLE · RB9.58.8+0.730%15% tgt—0310%415%
Khalil ShakirBUF · WR7.48.5−1.148%28% tgt—000%528%
Jerry JeudyCLE · WR4.26.8−2.673%15% tgt—000%415%
Ray DavisBUF · RB5.45.3+0.116%11% tgt—0310%211%
Dawson KnoxBUF · TE2.03.4−1.468%11% tgt—000%211%
Jackson HawesBUF · TE4.63.4+1.264%11% tgt—000%211%
Tyrell ShaversBUF · WR3.13.4−0.358%11% tgt—000%211%
Ty JohnsonBUF · RB7.61.9+5.732%10% car—0310%00%
Brandin CooksBUF · WR0.01.7−1.724%6% tgt—000%16%
Brenden BatesCLE · TE0.01.7−1.742%4% tgt—000%14%
Cedric TillmanCLE · WR1.81.7+0.147%4% tgt—000%14%
Dalton KincaidBUF · TE0.01.7−1.738%6% tgt—000%16%
Joshua PalmerBUF · WR1.21.7−0.570%6% tgt—000%16%
Isaiah BondCLE · WR2.00.6+1.448%3% car—013%00%

Team totals: Bills 18 targets and 29 carries; Browns 27 targets and 31 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Josh Allen Unlucky

BUF · QB · 6.9 pts on 13.0 expected

12 of 19 passing for 130 yards; 7 carries for 17 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Josh Allen →

Shedeur Sanders

CLE · QB · 13.2 pts on 15.5 expected

20 of 29 passing for 157 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 4 carries for 49 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.5 expected.

Start/Sit: Shedeur Sanders →

James Cook III Ran hot

BUF · RB · 26.4 pts on 13.7 expected

2 targets (11% of the team's), 1 catch for 17 yards; 16 carries (55% of the team's) for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Khalil Shakir

BUF · WR · 7.4 pts on 8.5 expected

5 targets (28% of the team's), 4 catches for 34 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 8.5 expected.

Start/Sit: Khalil Shakir →

Quinshon Judkins Unlucky

CLE · RB · 10.1 pts on 15.4 expected

6 targets (22% of the team's), 5 catches for 29 yards; 8 carries (26% of the team's) for 22 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Quinshon Judkins →

Harold Fannin Jr. Ran hot

CLE · TE · 19.5 pts on 10.9 expected

6 targets (22% of the team's), 4 catches for 34 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for 1 yard and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Ty Johnson Ran hot

BUF · RB · 7.6 pts on 1.9 expected

3 carries (10% of the team's) for 16 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 1.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Ty Johnson →

Jackson Hawes

BUF · TE · 4.6 pts on 3.4 expected

2 targets (11% of the team's), 2 catches for 26 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 3.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Jackson Hawes →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Buffalo Bills

  • Stock up: Jackson Hawes played 64% of the snaps, up from a 45% season average.
  • Stock up: Tyrell Shavers played 58% of the snaps, up from a 40% season average.
  • Stock up: Joshua Palmer played 70% of the snaps, up from a 42% season average.

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: Malachi Corley played 45% of the snaps, up from a 20% season average.
  • Stock up: Raheim Sanders played 30% of the snaps, up from a 4% season average.
  • Stock up: Brenden Bates played 42% of the snaps, up from a 18% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Bills defense and Browns defense
Points allowed toBills DBrowns D
QBs13.614.0
RBs24.422.4
WRs25.926.0
TEs7.512.1

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cleveland opened at 22% win probability and fell below 2% in the third quarter.

Browns win probability

Browns win probability by game minuteBrowns started at 22%, stood at 6% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +19Sanders → Fannin, 13-yd TD23% → 42%Q1 10:42
  2. −20Cook 44-yd TD run43% → 23%Q1 7:47
  3. −14Johnson 2-yd TD run26% → 12%Q2 12:54
  4. −13Cook 3-yd TD run19% → 6%Q2 2:23
  5. +12Szmyt 41-yd FG7% → 19%Q4 8:46

Swing in Browns win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Bills vs Browns
Buffalo BillsMeasureCleveland Browns
50Plays64
42%Pass rate52%
4.5Yds / dropback4.1
5.7Yds / carry5.2
2/8Third downs8/14

Efficiency edge Buffalo ran 14 fewer plays but gained 0.5 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • BUF Shakir 28% · Knox 11% · Hawes 11%
  • CLE Fannin 22% · Judkins 22% · Jeudy 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Bills vs Browns
ResultBUFCLE
Touchdowns32
Field goals12
Punts32
Turnovers02
Turnovers on downs21

BUF turnover edge: +2

  • The Browns opened the scoring on their first possession, a 8-play, 69-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Bills scored touchdowns on three of their first three drives.
All 20 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CLEQ1 15:008694:18Touchdown
BUFQ1 10:425802:55Touchdown
CLEQ1 7:476324:52Interception
BUFQ1 2:559615:01Touchdown
CLEQ2 12:5413657:16Field goal
BUFQ2 5:387683:15Touchdown
CLEQ2 2:233-20:47Punt
BUFQ2 1:363-121:30Punt
CLEQ2 0:06200:06End of half
BUFQ3 15:00382:14Punt
CLEQ3 12:464122:07Interception
BUFQ3 10:39421:02Field goal
CLEQ3 9:3714678:01Touchdown
BUFQ3 1:367363:06Downs
CLEQ4 13:308434:44Field goal
BUFQ4 8:463-121:41Punt
CLEQ4 7:054-52:03Downs
BUFQ4 5:025192:15Downs
CLEQ4 2:474-111:09Punt
BUFQ4 1:38591:38End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Bills vs Browns Head-to-Head

The Bills and Browns first met in 1972 and have played 24 times since.

All-time series
13–11Browns lead, 24 meetings since 1972
Postseason
1–0Browns won in 1989
Largest Bills win
42–01990
Largest Browns win
41–201978

Since 2021

2–0 Bills lead

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. BUF = Bills win, CLE = Browns win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Bills vs Browns
BillsStatBrowns
12-5Record5-12
28.3Points per game16.4
376.3Yards per game262.2
5.9Yards per play4.3
21.5Points allowed per game22.3
293.1Yards allowed per game283.6

Bills vs Browns Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
BUF −10.5Bills failed to cover by 7.5
Total
41.5Over: 43 points scored (by 1.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Bills26.023−3.0
Browns15.520+4.5

The Browns beat their implied total and the Bills fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Last 2 meetings: Bills 1–1 ATS, overs 2–0.

Each team's 2025 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Buffalo Bills

Against the spread
2–2
Over/under
3–1
ATS as favorite
2–2
ATS on the road
2–1

Cleveland Browns

Against the spread
1–3
Over/under
2–2
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
1–2
ATS at home
1–2

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Bills and Browns in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Bill or a Brown, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Bills vs Browns Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Bills vs Browns Week 16 game?

The Buffalo Bills beat the Cleveland Browns 23–20 in Week 16 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH, on December 21, 2025. See the Bills' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Bills vs Browns?

The final score was Bills 23, Browns 20. The Bills led 20–10 at halftime, and the second half went Bills 3, Browns 10.

What happened in the Bills vs Browns game?

Buffalo led 20–10 at halftime and won 23–20, though Cleveland took the second half 10–3. Cleveland outgained the Bills 294–259, but the Bills averaged 5.2 yards per play. James Cook led all players with a catch for 17 yards, plus 16 carries for 117 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Browns committed 2 turnovers, the Bills none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Bills vs Browns?

James Cook led the game with 26.4 PPR fantasy points, the RB6 of Week 16, on a catch for 17 yards, plus 16 carries for 117 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Harold Fannin was next with 19.5 (TE2). See James Cook's 2025 game log.

Who led Bills vs Browns in passing, rushing and receiving?

Shedeur Sanders (CLE) led all passers with 20 of 29 for 157 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. James Cook (BUF) led in rushing with 16 carries for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. Trayveon Williams (CLE) led in receiving with 4 catches for 38 yards.

How many fantasy points did James Cook score against the Browns?

James Cook scored 26.4 points in PPR leagues, 25.9 in half-PPR and 25.4 in standard scoring against the Browns in Week 16 of the 2025 season, on a catch for 17 yards, plus 16 carries for 117 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Bills vs Browns?

James Cook III outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 26.4 PPR points on 13.7 xFP (+12.7). Josh Allen fell furthest short, with 6.9 points on 13.0 xFP (−6.1). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Bills beat the Browns?

The Bills beat the Browns 23–20 because they averaged 5.2 yards per play to 4.6 and won the turnover battle 2–0.

Which team won the turnover battle in Bills vs Browns?

The Bills won the turnover battle 2–0: the Browns gave the ball away 2 times and the Bills not at all. The Bills won the game.

What is the all-time Bills vs Browns record?

The Browns lead the all-time series 13–11 across 24 meetings since 1972, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Bills and Browns last play before this game?

Before Week 16 of 2025, they last met in the 2022 season on November 20, 2022, when the Bills beat the Browns 31–23.

Have the Bills and Browns met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 1989 playoffs. The Bills are 0–1 against the Browns in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Bills vs Browns?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Bills −10.5, making the Buffalo Bills 10.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 41.5. That implied about 26.0 points for the Bills and 15.5 for the Browns.

Did Bills vs Browns go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 41.5, and the teams combined for 43 points, 1.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Bills vs Browns?

The Browns covered as 10.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Bills −10.5. The final margin was 3 points.