Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich was displeased with the lack of fast starts out of Buffalo’s defense. On Sunday, the Bills came out hot. Despite giving up a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, the defense halted quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the Browns’ offense from retaking the lead.

In Buffalo territory, Sanders threw a slightly too-high pass behind running back Quinton Judkins on second-and-13. The ball hit Judkins’ shoulder, deflecting high in the air. As it dropped back down, veteran cornerback Jordan Poyer wrapped his arms around the ball and put quarterback Josh Allen back in business at the end of the first quarter.

The running back room is powered by James Cook III, but Allen got all three going early against Cleveland.

Following Poyer’s interception, Allen connected with Ray Davis after buying time. He scrambled to the right on the outside, turning his body back inside to hit Davis for 14 yards. On the following play, Allen outran the Browns’ defenders again, completing a pass to tight end Jackson Hawes. Hawes fought for more yardage after the catch, picking up a total 18 yards.

Capping off the drive, which bled into the start of the second quarter, Ty Johnson had three touches back-to-back. On first-and-goal from the 16-yard-line, Johnson kept his legs moving, carrying some of Cleveland’s defenders with him as his picked up nine yards. He powered headfirst on second-and-one, fighting for not only the first down, but the full six points. With just two yards left of the field, Johnson walked his way into the end zone. A missed extra point gave the Bills a 13-7 lead.

Buffalo’s first touchdown of the afternoon was on a drive almost singlehandedly powered by Cook.

Allen and Davis had a combined 13 yards on the Bills’ first drive of the game. After back-to-back rushes for 23 yards, Cook waited one snap to get Buffalo on the board. On second-and-four, the star running back weaved his way down the field, splitting unblocked defenders and escaping another two, taking the ball all the way into the end zone for a 44-yard score.

Cook’s second touchdown on Sunday doubled Buffalo’s lead to 20-10.

Like Johnson, he couldn’t squeeze through on his first attempt past the plane. Landing on top of a defender and extending his arm out before he hit the ground, Cook got the touchdown on his second attempt. This tied him for most rushing touchdowns in 2025 across the NFL with seven scores.

After Cook’s second touchdown, though, it wasn’t smooth sailing into halftime for either team.