The final home game of the season for the Cleveland Browns comes with a mixture of subdued excitement and a heavy dose of future-casting.
With a 3-11 record, the team’s playoff hopes have long been extinguished, leaving the passionate but long-suffering fanbase to shift its attention from the immediate results on the field to the more compelling drama of the offseason.
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Whispers of potential staff turnover have begun to swirl, lending a distinct “lame duck” feel to the final contests. Simultaneously, the ever-entertaining spectacle of the NFL Draft provides a much-needed injection of hope, as fans debate which college phenom might be the missing piece for next year’s squad.
This Sunday’s matchup against the surging, playoff-bound Buffalo Bills might feel like a formality on the surface, but for a few key players in Brown and Orange, it represents a crucial stage for personal history and evaluation.
From a defensive superstar chasing a sacred record to two promising rookies looking to cement their place, here are five bold predictions for the Browns at home.
1. Myles Garrett Shatters the NFL Sack Record
This is the biggest draw for every fan walking into Huntington Bank Field. Myles Garrett is on the precipice of NFL history.
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With 21.5 sacks through 14 games, he needs just 1.5 sacks on reigning MVP Josh Allen to claim the all-time single-season record. Allen, who has taken 33 sacks so far this season, is a strong, elusive quarterback, but the sheer force of Garrett’s dominant 2025 campaign cannot be denied. Garrett is playing at a historically great level, racking up 17.5 sacks in his last eight games alone.
Facing a Bills offense that relies heavily on Allen’s extended plays, the opportunities will be there. Garrett will officially shatter the NFL single-season record.
2. Shedeur Sanders Bounces Back
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has demonstrated the wildly inconsistent play often associated with young signal-callers. His fantastic performance against the Titans was immediately followed by a horrid outing against the Bears, where he threw three interceptions and took five sacks.
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This week, however, expect the rollercoaster to trend upwards. The Browns will lean on a shorter, quicker passing game to protect him from the Bills’ pass rush, allowing him to regain his confidence. Sanders will look competent, utilizing his check-downs and intermediate throws effectively to manage the game.
He won’t be mistake-free, but he will return to form.
3. Harold Fannin Sets A Record Of His Own
Third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has been a revelation this year, providing the one consistent bright spot in the Browns’ receiving corps. He enters the game tied with Kevin Johnson (1999) for the Browns’ rookie reception record with 66 catches.
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Fannin has already demonstrated the ability to be heavily targeted, receiving 14 targets last week against Chicago. Look for him to easily surpass the mark, hauling in at least six receptions to become the sole record-holder for Browns rookie receptions.
4. Josh Allen Puts On A Show
Despite Myles Garrett’s historic achievement, the reality is that the Bills are a playoff contender facing a porous defense. Even if tight end Dalton Kincaid is sidelined, Josh Allen has too many options and is playing with too much urgency.
The absence of top cornerback Denzel Ward makes the Browns’ secondary as effective as one-ply tissue paper, offering little resistance to Allen’s cannon arm. Allen, who is trying to solidify his case for a repeat MVP, will have his way through the air and on the ground, accounting for over 350 total yards and four touchdowns as he dismantles the Browns’ defense.
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5. Browns Lose, 41-17
Ultimately, individual milestones are not enough to overcome the talent disparity and the Bills’ overwhelming motivation.
The game will follow the script of a dominant playoff contender easily handling a team in disarray. The Bills will jump out to an early lead, forcing Sanders to press and eventually resulting in the defense wearing down.
The final score will reflect the one-sided nature of the contest, confirming the team’s shift in focus to the offseason. The Browns will lose 41-17, but the day will be memorable for the record-breaking performances of Garrett and Fannin.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns vs. Bills: 5 bold predictions for Cleveland’s Week 16 matchup