Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats

The Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats from the August 22, 2026 NFL preseason meeting tell a much more useful story than the 31-7 final score alone. Buffalo produced 230 passing yards, 138 rushing yards, two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and two interceptions on defense. Cleveland, meanwhile, managed 110 passing yards and 84 rushing yards while turning the ball over twice through the air.

For anyone studying preseason performances, the interesting part is not simply that Buffalo won. The bigger questions are which players created separation, which quarterback performances deserve closer attention, how efficiently each offense moved the ball, and what the numbers suggest about roster competition.

This game also needs to be viewed in the proper preseason context. Statistics accumulated against second and third units do not automatically translate into regular-season production. However, they can reveal useful things about execution, depth, decision-making, ball security, and individual consistency.

Game Overview

Buffalo entered the matchup with a 1-0 preseason record. Cleveland was 0-1 entering the contest.

The August 22 meeting was played in Cleveland. The game also experienced a weather interruption caused by lightning, with play temporarily stopped during the first quarter before resuming later.

Buffalo ultimately controlled the game after Cleveland’s opening touchdown.

Final Score

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Buffalo Bills	7	7	10	7	31
Cleveland Browns	7	0	0	0	7

The scoring pattern is important.

Cleveland opened with seven points, but Buffalo responded by scoring in every quarter after that. The Bills produced 24 unanswered points following Cleveland’s first-quarter touchdown.

That indicates a game that became increasingly one-sided as Buffalo’s depth players took control.

Team Statistical Comparison

Before examining individual performances, the team numbers provide the clearest explanation for the final score.

Category	Buffalo Bills	Cleveland Browns
Passing	15/22, 230 yards	14/24, 110 yards
Passing TDs	2	1
Interceptions thrown	0	2
Rushing	34-138	27-84
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total passing + rushing yards	368	194
Defensive interceptions	2	0
Total tackles	69	71
Sacks	1	1
Tackles for loss	5	2
Passes defended	7	2
QB hits	5	2

The most striking difference was total offensive production.

Buffalo generated 368 combined passing and rushing yards, while Cleveland produced 194. That is a 174-yard advantage.

Buffalo also avoided an interception entirely, while Cleveland threw two.

Those two factors created a major efficiency gap.

Buffalo Bills Passing Performance

The quarterback numbers were one of the biggest stories in the matchup.

Kyle Allen started for Buffalo and delivered an efficient performance. He completed 10 of 12 passes for 128 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. His passer rating was 138.9.

That is an excellent preseason statistical line, particularly because Allen did not need a large number of attempts to influence the game.

Kyle Allen

Statistic	Kyle Allen
Completions	10
Attempts	12
Completion rate	83.3%
Passing yards	128
Touchdowns	1
Interceptions	0
Passer rating	138.9

Allen’s completion rate was especially notable.

He completed 83.3% of his passes, while averaging 10.7 yards per completed pass. That combination points toward an efficient passing performance rather than simply accumulating short completions.

The more important point for evaluating a preseason quarterback is decision-making.

Allen protected the football. He did not throw an interception, and Buffalo was able to maintain offensive efficiency without asking him to throw repeatedly.

That matters because quarterback evaluation in preseason games is often less about raw yardage and more about whether the player consistently makes the correct decision.

Shane Buechele

Shane Buechele also contributed significantly.

He completed five of 10 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. His passer rating was 123.3.

His completion rate was only 50%, but the 111 passing yards demonstrate that his successful completions produced considerable yardage.

Buechele also added a rushing touchdown on three carries.

That gave him an impact in both phases of the offense.

Buffalo’s Passing Efficiency

As a team, Buffalo completed 15 of 22 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

That works out to a 68.2% completion rate.

More importantly, Buffalo’s passing attack produced 10.5 yards per attempt.

The combination of efficiency and explosiveness explains why the Bills were able to create a large offensive advantage despite throwing only 22 passes.

Buffalo Bills Rushing Performance

Buffalo did not rely solely on the passing game.

The Bills carried the ball 34 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

That produced an average of approximately 4.1 yards per carry.

Leading Buffalo Rushers

Player	Carries	Yards	TD
Ian Wheeler	14	56	0
Frank Gore Jr.	9	54	0
Ray Davis	7	21	1
Shane Buechele	3	3	1
Mecole Hardman Jr.	1	4	0

Ian Wheeler led Buffalo in rushing yardage with 56 yards on 14 attempts.

His workload is worth noting because 14 carries represented a substantial opportunity compared with the other Buffalo backs.

Frank Gore Jr. was close behind, producing 54 yards on nine carries.

That is an average of exactly six yards per carry, making his efficiency particularly interesting.

Ray Davis contributed the team’s other rushing touchdown.

Meanwhile, Buechele added a quarterback rushing touchdown, giving Buffalo another way to finish drives.

Buffalo Receiving Leaders

The receiving numbers were surprisingly explosive.

Buffalo finished with 15 receptions for 239 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Leading Buffalo Receivers

Player	Receptions	Yards	TD
Ja’Mori Maclin	2	108	1
Trent Sherfield	4	54	0
Shane Zylstra	3	29	0
Mecole Hardman Jr.	2	15	1

Ja’Mori Maclin was the standout.

He recorded only two receptions but accumulated 108 yards and one touchdown.

That means his average was an extraordinary 54 yards per reception.

This is exactly why preseason statistics need context. Two catches cannot establish a sustainable season-long receiving trend, but 108 yards on those opportunities demonstrate that Maclin made his opportunities count.

Trent Sherfield provided a different type of contribution.

His four receptions were the most among the listed Buffalo receivers, and his 54 yards represented consistent involvement rather than one massive statistical play.

Mecole Hardman Jr. added a receiving touchdown while also contributing one rushing attempt.

Cleveland Browns Passing Performance

Cleveland’s quarterback statistics present a more complicated picture.

Shedeur Sanders started the game and completed nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His passer rating was 87.1.

Deshaun Watson completed five of 12 passes for 36 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating was 14.6.

Dillon Gabriel attempted one pass, which fell incomplete.

Cleveland Quarterback Comparison

Quarterback	Comp/Att	Yards	TD	INT	Rating
Shedeur Sanders	9/11	74	1	1	87.1
Deshaun Watson	5/12	36	0	1	14.6
Dillon Gabriel	0/1	0	0	0	39.6

Sanders’ statistical profile stands out because of his high completion percentage.

He completed 81.8% of his attempts.

However, the 74 passing yards show that Cleveland’s passing game was not generating the same level of explosive production as Buffalo.

The interception also mattered.

Sanders moved the Browns effectively early, completed his first eight attempts, and led a touchdown drive, but his interception became an important blemish on the performance.

Deshaun Watson’s Numbers

Watson’s 36 yards on 12 attempts were particularly inefficient.

His completion rate was 41.7%, and Cleveland did not score a touchdown during his passing opportunities.

The interception further reduced the value of his passing production.

A preseason box score cannot answer every question about a quarterback’s future, but this individual statistical performance clearly favored Sanders.

Cleveland Browns Rushing Performance

Cleveland recorded 27 rushing attempts for 84 yards.

The Browns did not produce a rushing touchdown.

Cleveland Rush Leaders

Player	Carries	Yards
Raheim Sanders	12	31
Ahmani Marshall	8	18
Davon Booth	3	16
Deshaun Watson	2	13

Raheim Sanders received the largest rushing workload with 12 carries.

He finished with 31 yards, an average of 2.6 yards per carry.

Ahmani Marshall recorded 18 yards on eight carries.

Davon Booth had 16 yards on only three attempts, giving him a better per-carry average despite a much smaller workload.

Watson contributed 13 rushing yards on two carries, showing that his mobility still added another dimension to Cleveland’s offense during the game.

However, Cleveland’s overall rushing average was approximately 3.1 yards per carry.

That was considerably lower than Buffalo’s 4.1-yard average.

Cleveland Receiving Performance

The Browns finished with 14 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.

Leading Cleveland Receivers

Player	Receptions	Yards	TD
Luke Floriea	2	31	1
Malachi Corley	2	27	0
Blake Whiteheart	1	16	0

Luke Floriea led Cleveland’s listed receiving group with 31 yards and a touchdown on two receptions.

Malachi Corley added 27 yards on two catches.

Blake Whiteheart contributed 16 yards on one reception.

The larger issue was not necessarily the production of one receiver.

It was Cleveland’s inability to consistently create explosive passing plays.

The Browns produced only 110 team receiving yards, compared with 239 for Buffalo.

That 129-yard receiving gap was enormous.

Defensive Player and Team Statistics

Offensive numbers usually receive the most attention, but the defensive statistics explain why the game became increasingly difficult for Cleveland.

Buffalo recorded:

• 69 total tackles
• 29 solo tackles
• 1 sack
• 5 tackles for loss
• 7 passes defended
• 5 quarterback hits
• 2 interceptions

Cleveland recorded:

• 71 total tackles
• 29 solo tackles
• 1 sack
• 2 tackles for loss
• 2 passes defended
• 2 quarterback hits
• 0 interceptions

The tackle totals were nearly identical.

That is important because it shows the final score was not simply the result of Buffalo making dramatically more tackles.

The bigger difference came in disruption.

Buffalo had five tackles for loss compared with two for Cleveland.

The Bills also recorded seven passes defended compared with only two for the Browns.

Most importantly, Buffalo intercepted Cleveland quarterbacks twice.

Damar Hamlin and Te’Cory Couch Create Turnovers

Buffalo’s defense produced two interceptions.

Damar Hamlin recorded one interception and returned it eight yards.

Te’Cory Couch also intercepted a Cleveland pass, although he recorded no return yardage.

Together, the two defensive backs gave Buffalo two takeaways through the air.

Cleveland had no interceptions.

This was a major difference in a game where Buffalo also committed no interceptions offensively.

The takeaway advantage therefore strongly favored the Bills.

Buffalo Special Teams Performance

Tyler Bass converted his only field-goal attempt from 52 yards.

He also made all four extra-point attempts.

That gave him seven points.

Buffalo Kicking

Category	Result
Field goals	1/1
Long field goal	52 yards
Extra points	4/4
Total points	7

Buffalo also punted four times for 188 yards.

The team average was 47.0 yards per punt.

Tommy Doman Jr. handled three punts for 129 yards, while Mitch Wishnowsky had one punt for 59 yards.

Wishnowsky’s single punt produced a 59-yard average, while Doman Jr. averaged 43.0 yards.

Cleveland Special Teams Performance

Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt attempted no field goals and converted his only extra-point attempt.

He finished with one point.

The Browns punted five times for 240 yards, averaging 48.0 yards per punt.

Wes Pahl handled four punts for 192 yards, while Corey Bojorquez punted once for 48 yards.

Cleveland’s return game did provide some positive numbers.

The Browns recorded five kick returns for 152 yards, averaging 30.4 yards per return.

Buffalo had two kick returns for 52 yards, averaging 26.0 yards.

Cleveland therefore held the better kick-return average, even though that advantage did not translate into offensive scoring.

What the Stats Really Tell Us

A simple box-score reading would say Buffalo won comfortably.

A deeper statistical reading explains why.

1. Buffalo Won the Yardage Battle

Buffalo generated 368 combined passing and rushing yards.

Cleveland generated 194.

The 174-yard difference is substantial.

The Bills were more productive through the air and on the ground.

2. Buffalo Protected the Football

Buffalo threw no interceptions.

Cleveland threw two.

There was also one Buffalo fumble by Frank Gore Jr., but it was not lost.

Cleveland did not record a fumble.

The takeaway advantage therefore came entirely through interceptions.

3. Buffalo Created More Defensive Disruption

Buffalo recorded:

• Five tackles for loss
• Five quarterback hits
• Seven passes defended
• Two interceptions

Cleveland recorded:

• Two tackles for loss
• Two quarterback hits
• Two passes defended
• No interceptions

That is a meaningful defensive difference.

4. Buffalo Had Better Scoring Balance

The Bills scored two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.

Cleveland scored one passing touchdown.

Buffalo therefore demonstrated multiple ways to finish drives.

That balance is particularly useful when evaluating depth players because it suggests the offense was not dependent on one specific player or type of play.

Why Ja’Mori Maclin’s 108 Receiving Yards Matter

Maclin’s performance deserves separate attention because his statistical output was so unusual.

Two catches for 108 yards is not normal volume.

But it is exactly the type of performance that can affect preseason roster discussions.

A player does not need 10 receptions to make a strong impression if the opportunities he receives are productive.

Maclin averaged 54 yards per catch and scored once.

The correct conclusion is not that he will automatically become a major regular-season receiving option.

The better conclusion is that he created a memorable sample of explosive production and gave evaluators a reason to look more closely at his route work, separation, hands, and special teams value.

That distinction matters.

Preseason statistics are signals, not guarantees.

Why Kyle Allen’s Performance Was More Important Than the Raw Numbers

Kyle Allen’s 10-for-12 performance was impressive, but the most valuable part may have been his efficiency.

• He did not need 30 attempts.
• He did not need to chase statistics.
• He completed 83.3% of his passes, threw one touchdown, and avoided turnovers.

That is the type of outing that allows a quarterback to leave the game having accomplished what was required without exposing the offense to unnecessary risk.

Shedeur Sanders vs Deshaun Watson

The quarterback comparison is one of the most interesting elements of this game.

Sanders:

• Completed 81.8% of his passes
• Threw for 74 yards
• Had one touchdown
• Had one interception
• Produced an 87.1 rating

Watson:

• Completed 41.7% of his passes
• Threw for 36 yards
• Had no touchdowns
• Had one interception
• Produced a 14.6 rating

The numbers clearly favored Sanders in this particular game.

However, one preseason game should not be treated as the final answer to a quarterback competition.

The larger quarterback decision requires a broader sample.

That is the sensible way to interpret the numbers.

Sanders had the stronger statistical outing.

The larger quarterback decision requires a broader sample.

What Cleveland Can Take From the Loss

A 31-7 defeat is not automatically a disaster during preseason.

The value comes from identifying what needs to improve.

For Cleveland, several areas stand out.

Improve Passing Explosiveness

The Browns generated only 110 passing yards.

The offense needs more consistent gains through the air rather than relying heavily on short completions.

Reduce Turnovers

Two interceptions are especially damaging when the offense is already struggling to generate yardage.

Protecting the ball should be a priority for every quarterback competing for meaningful playing time.

Improve Run Efficiency

Cleveland averaged about 3.1 yards per rushing attempt.

That is not enough to consistently keep an offense ahead of the chains.

Create More Defensive Pressure

Two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits were not enough to disrupt Buffalo’s offense consistently.

Cleveland’s defense recorded one sack, but Buffalo’s seven passes defended and two interceptions show a much stronger overall impact on the passing game.

What Buffalo Can Take From the Win

Buffalo’s performance contained several encouraging indicators.

Efficient Quarterback Play

Allen and Buechele combined for:

• 15 completions
• 22 attempts
• 230 yards
• Two touchdowns
• Zero interceptions

That is a strong combined passing performance.

Depth at Running Back

Wheeler and Gore Jr. both produced meaningful rushing numbers.

That creates a useful evaluation sample for the coaching staff.

Explosive Receiving Ability

Maclin’s 108-yard performance immediately stands out.

Sherfield also provided steady production.

Defensive Ball Production

Two interceptions and seven passes defended show that Buffalo’s defensive depth players were active around the football.

Preseason Context Matters

One of the biggest mistakes when interpreting Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats is treating preseason numbers exactly like regular-season statistics.

Preseason games have a different purpose.

Coaches are evaluating:

• Individual roster battles
• Young players
• Backup quarterbacks
• Special teams contributors
• Scheme execution
• Communication
• Position flexibility
• Conditioning
• Ball security

Playing time is also distributed differently.

A player who dominates a preseason box score may have done so against a defensive unit that would not appear in a regular-season starting lineup.

That does not make the performance meaningless.

It simply changes what the numbers can legitimately tell us.

A Better Way to Analyze Preseason Player Stats

When reviewing a preseason box score, use a layered approach.

Step 1: Look at Opportunity

How many snaps, carries, targets, or pass attempts did the player receive?

A player with 14 carries has a different evaluation opportunity from someone with two.

Step 2: Measure Efficiency

Do not look only at total yards.

Look at:

• Completion percentage
• Yards per attempt
• Yards per carry
• Yards per reception
• Touchdown rate
• Turnover rate

Step 3: Examine Mistakes

Turnovers can change the interpretation of an otherwise strong statistical performance.

Step 4: Consider Role

A backup quarterback, running back, receiver, and defensive back are not evaluated using exactly the same standards.

Step 5: Compare With Usage

A player’s production becomes more meaningful when it matches the responsibility assigned to him.

Step 6: Look for Repeatability

One explosive play can create a large box-score total.

Repeated efficient plays provide stronger evidence.

The Most Important Numbers From the Game

For readers who want the quickest statistical summary, these are the numbers worth remembering:

Buffalo offense

• 230 passing yards
• 138 rushing yards
• 368 combined yards
• Two passing touchdowns
• Two rushing touchdowns
• Zero interceptions

Cleveland offense

• 110 passing yards
• 84 rushing yards
• 194 combined yards
• One passing touchdown
• Zero rushing touchdowns
• Two interceptions

Top Buffalo performers

• Kyle Allen: 128 passing yards, one TD
• Shane Buechele: 111 passing yards, one TD
• Ian Wheeler: 56 rushing yards
• Frank Gore Jr.: 54 rushing yards
• Ja’Mori Maclin: 108 receiving yards, one TD

Top Cleveland performers

• Shedeur Sanders: 74 passing yards, one TD
• Raheim Sanders: 31 rushing yards
• Luke Floriea: 31 receiving yards, one TD

Statistical Lessons From Buffalo’s 31-7 Win

The final score was not produced by one statistical category.

It was the combined result of several advantages.

Buffalo threw for 120 more yards than Cleveland.

The Bills also rushed for 54 more yards.

Buffalo scored four offensive touchdowns compared with one for Cleveland.

The Bills committed no interceptions.

Cleveland committed two.

Buffalo’s defense also recorded twice as many passes defended and more tackles for loss and quarterback hits.

When those numbers are combined, the 24-point margin becomes much easier to understand.

Why the 31-7 Score Can Be Misleading

The final score looks like Buffalo dominated every minute.

It did not.

Cleveland scored the opening touchdown and therefore showed some early offensive success.

The game then changed.

Buffalo scored 24 unanswered points.

That distinction is useful because it highlights the importance of sustained execution.

The Browns showed they could start effectively.

The Bills showed they could maintain control over the remainder of the game.

The weather delay also interrupted the early rhythm.

How Fans Should Use These Player Statistics

These numbers are most useful for three groups.

Fantasy Football Players

Preseason statistics can identify players receiving opportunities, but they should not be used alone for fantasy draft decisions.

A 108-yard receiving performance on two catches is exciting, but regular-season target share is much more important.

NFL Analysts

Analysts can use the numbers to identify trends in quarterback efficiency, defensive depth, rushing competition, and special teams.

Team and Roster Observers

For people following roster battles, opportunity and efficiency are especially valuable.

A player who receives a substantial workload and performs efficiently deserves closer attention.

FAQ

Who won the Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns preseason game?

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Cleveland Browns 31-7 on August 22, 2026.

Who was Buffalo’s leading passer?

Kyle Allen led Buffalo with 10 completions on 12 attempts for 128 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

Who led Buffalo in receiving?

Ja’Mori Maclin led Buffalo with 108 receiving yards and one touchdown on two receptions.

Who was Cleveland’s leading quarterback?

Shedeur Sanders completed nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

How many interceptions did Buffalo record?

Buffalo’s defense recorded two interceptions, one by Damar Hamlin and one by Te’Cory Couch.

How many total yards did Buffalo produce?

Buffalo produced 368 combined passing and rushing yards, including 230 passing yards and 138 rushing yards.

Conclusion

The Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats provide a detailed explanation for Buffalo’s 31-7 preseason victory.

The Bills were more productive through the air, more effective on the ground, cleaner with the football, and more disruptive defensively. Kyle Allen delivered an efficient passing performance, while Shane Buechele added another touchdown through the air and one on the ground. Ian Wheeler and Frank Gore Jr. provided useful rushing production, while Ja’Mori Maclin’s 108 receiving yards created the game’s most explosive individual receiving statistic.

For Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders showed encouraging accuracy and led a touchdown drive, but his interception and the offense’s limited overall yardage prevented the Browns from sustaining their early success. Deshaun Watson’s statistical performance was considerably less efficient, while Cleveland’s running game averaged only about 3.1 yards per attempt.

The defensive comparison was equally important. Buffalo produced two interceptions, seven passes defended, five tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits. Cleveland finished with one sack and two tackles for loss but did not create a takeaway.

Ultimately, the most useful lesson from this game is that preseason statistics need context. The strongest evaluation does not simply ask who accumulated the most yards. It asks how many opportunities a player received, how efficiently those opportunities were converted, whether mistakes were made, and whether the performance demonstrated skills that can reasonably translate to future competition.