ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Defensive tackle Kyle Williams reflects on a tumultuous week and wonders whether Mother Nature might have handed the Buffalo Bills a unifying favour.The snowstorm that paralyzed much of the Buffalo region and forced the Bills to relocate their home game to Detroit provided Williams a glimpse of the teams resilient makeup.Much like the community that didnt back down in the face of more than 6 feet of snow that fell, the Bills overcame their own adversity with a resounding 38-3 rout of the New York Jets on Monday night.I think that you can see that guys stuck together, had some adversity and didnt use it as an excuse, Williams said. Maybe the fiber of the community is in this team.With much of the snow melted, theres no better chance for the Bills (6-5) to continue proving that Sunday, when they host Cleveland (7-4) in a key AFC playoff picture showdown.Its a game between two franchises that share the Lake Erie shoreline — and lengthy playoff droughts.The Bills havent made the post-season since 1999, and own the NFLs longest active streak. Its been 12 years for the Browns.You talk about uncharted territory, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer said. I think for a team that hasnt been in this situation for a long time, you see guys understanding whats at stake.The Browns have won six of eight, including a last-second 26-24 win at Atlanta last week. Theyre also showing signs of having developed a new mettle under coach Mike Pettine, who spent last season as Bills defensive co-ordinator.Pettine isnt surprised by the character the Bills displayed in overcoming the storm, and anticipates to be greeted by an insanely loud crowd at Ralph Wilson Stadium.I know what were up against, Pettine said. I dont know if our players do, but theyll get a taste of it early on.Some things to look for in a game between non-division rivals meeting for the seventh time in eight years:PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Browns are in a tightly-contested AFC North race that features all four teams with seven wins, with Cincinnati (7-3-1) holding a slim edge. The Browns close against four of five opponents currently holding winning records.The Bills have little margin for error. Their chances are slim of catching AFC East-leading New England (9-2). Overall, Buffalos 3-5 conference record is the worst among the 11 AFC teams with winning records. And Kansas City (7-4) and San Diego (7-4) have the tiebreaking edge over Buffalo after beating the Bills this season.After playing Cleveland, Buffalo travels to Denver (8-3), hosts Green Bay (8-3) and closes at Oakland (1-10) and New England.BAD MEMORIES: The Browns and Bills have played several not-so-instant-classics in recent years.In 2007, the Browns beat the Bills 8-0 at Cleveland in near whiteout conditions in which the Bills managed 232 yards offence and 11 first downs.In 2009, Billy Cundiff hit an 18-yard field goal as time expired in a 6-3 win at Buffalo, where the Browns had 193 yards offence, and quarterback Derek Anderson completed 2 of 17 attempts for 23 yards.Last season, the Browns beat the Bills 37-24 in a game both starting quarterbacks — Hoyer and Buffalos EJ Manuel — sustained knee injuries.UNWELCOME BACK: Pettine doesnt expect hell get a warm reception Sunday. Thats nothing compared to what might be in store for Browns safety Donte Whitner, who spent his first five seasons with the Bills.The 2006 first-round draft pick bolted Buffalo in free agency in 2011 after being unhappy with the Bills final contract offer. Hes since taken to Twitter numerous times to express his displeasure. That included last summer when Whitner challenged Bills rookie receiver Sammy Watkins, and enraged Buffalo fans during the teams sale process by suggesting the franchise will relocate to Toronto.Im sure Ill get a standing ovation, Whitner said with a smile regarding his return.Bills running back Fred Jackson called Whitners posts dumb, and accused him of being an idiot and trying to ruffle feathers.ON THE RUN: The Browns rookie running back tandem of Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell has provided a formidable one-two punch to first-year co-ordinator Kyle Shanahans attack. After scoring just four touchdowns rushing last season, Cleveland is tied for second in the NFL with 14 this year.Pettine is committed to sticking with the run despite the return of receiver Josh Gordon, who had eight catches for 120 yards Sunday after serving a 10-game league suspension for violating the drug policyBY THE SACKFUL: In one season in Buffalo, Pettine instilled an aggressive approach in helping the Bills finish second in the NFL with a franchise-best 57 sacks. The Bills are already ahead of that pace with a league-leading 46 under Jim Schwartz, the former Lions coach.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Sam Huff Womens Jersey .com) - Carmelo Anthony tallied 31 points to help the New York Knicks continue their improved play of late with a 100-92 victory over a short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder squad. Dwayne Haskins Redskins Jersey . Atletico Madrid made it three wins from three thanks to a double from in-form striker Diego Costa in a 3-0 victory at Austria Vienna, leaving the Spanish side on the brink of the last 16 already to continue its brilliant start to the season. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Dwayne-Haskins-Inverted-Jersey/ . The Marlies surrendered two power-play goals and failed to score on six man-advantage opportunities en route to a 4-1 defeat in American Hockey League action on Saturday. Charley Taylor Youth Jersey .com) - The Chicago Cubs reportedly signed recently-acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler to a one-year contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration. Art Monk Redskins Jersey . For the Blue Jays the time was Wednesday and the ace was R.A. Dickey. He stepped up. "I feel some responsibility as a stopper from time to time," said Dickey.Arsene Wenger praised Arsenals spirit after they climbed above Tottenham to finish second in the Premier League following a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on the final day. Before kick-off the equation was simple for Wengers men, who needed to pick up all three points against bottom of the table Villa and hope Newcastle could beat Spurs. An Olivier Giroud hat-trick and an own goal from Mark Bunn handed the Gunners victory and after Spurs demise at St James Park, Arsenal finished runners up for the first time since 2005.The win, coupled with Tottenhams capitulation at Newcastle, also means Arsenal have not finished below their neighbours since 1995. Arsene Wenger said second place was reward for Arsenals spirirt It was difficult to predict, especially a few weeks ago, but we kept our togetherness, our spirit, Wenger told Sky Sports.I think its now 10 games without defeat and thats reward for our spirit, our mentality and also for our quality.Arsenal had entered 2016 top of the table and looking in good shape to claim their first title in 12 years.However, their title challenge fell away after a difficult second half to the season but Wenger was keen to praise champions Leicester. Arsenal players mob Mikel Arteta to celebrate their fourth goal We had a difficult second part to our season because we had many difficult away games, Wenger said.We had to go to Tottenham, to Man City, to Manchester United and to Liverpool so I knew our position was a bit artificial in December. We needed an exceptional second part to the season and we didnt deliver that, but overall we finished second in the league and you have to congratulate Leicester.They lost only three games and two against us. Overall, they have been exceptional. Barcelona and Real Madrid lost more games in Europe. Its difficult to explain it but it is a fact.Meanwhile, Arsenals victory against Villa saw Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky bid farewell to the club and Wenger insists the midfield pair will be missed in the dreessing room.dddddddddddd Arsenals squad gave the departing Tomas Rosicky a guard of honour as he said farewell to the fans It was very emotional, Wenger said. They are two exceptional players, two leaders as well and they are extremely well respected in the dressing room.Well miss that because they have weight in the dressing room.Every manager knows its important to have this kind of spiritual quality in the dressing room and they were exceptional players but they had exceptional spirit as well. Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick in Arsenals 4-0 win Looking ahead to next season, Wenger revealed he will look to add two to three players to his squad in the summer as they look to win a first title since 2004.He said: Well try to keep the squad together and then strengthen with two or three more players.Weve lost Danny Welbeck for nine months, so I count it for the season. That means we need one more offensive player but well try to add three players to the squad. Also See: Arsenal pip Spurs to second When Spurs last pipped Arsenal Arsenal season review Live on Sky ' ' '
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