Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins missed practice due to an illness, putting pressure on the team before facing the Cleveland Browns.

Three keys to a Buffalo Bills victory against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. The Bills will try to build on a three-game winning streak.

The last time the Buffalo Bills played in Cleveland, they were still raw and hungry, which is way different than the grizzled, yet youth-driven bunch that'll be

Buffalo, which is the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff picture, is nearly a lock to make the postseason and have a clear path to pluck the AFC East title. The Bills trail the Patriots by one game with three games to play.

But Allen and Buffalo were undeterred. Ray Davis had a huge kick return to open the second half, and Allen capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown to Dawson Knox. Then, the maligned Buffalo defense, shredded throughout the first half, got a three-and-out, and the Bills marched down the field again, with Cook powering in from 3 yards out.

The Browns have the No. 1 pass defense in the league (169.0 yards per game), jumping ahead of the Bills last week; they are No. 2 behind only the Texans in total yards per game (279.1); they are No. 1 in tackles for lost yardage with 107; No. 1 in fewest first downs (16.4 per game); and No. 1 in third-down conversion rate (34.1%).

With the Miami Dolphins out of the playoffs after Monday Night Football, there are now nine teams vying for seven berths in the AFC Playoffs.

It’s not a win-and-in scenario, but the Buffalo Bills are on the cusp of their seventh straight playoff appearance. Buffalo, currently 10-4, can punch their ticket to the postseason in four different ways. Here’s a look at how the Bills can clinch a playoff spot this week:

After loss to Bills, high-flying Patriots can get back on track against Ravens in Sunday night Week 16 encounter