It's time for the Bills to hit the road, after three straight games at home. The Bills will look to win their fourth consecutive road game to start the season for the first time since 1965.
Their opponents this week will be the Cleveland Browns who are returning for their first home game in three weeks.
Here are some of the top storylines to follow this week as the Bills get set to play their Lake Erie rivals on Sunday:
1. STEPS FORWARD FOR THE BUFFALO OFFENSE
The first half of the Bills season relied on excellent defense, with the offense working in nine new starters and adding new weapons. There's evidence from Sunday's win over Washington that the offense is ready to take significant steps forward in the second half of the season.
The Bills scored on their first three possessions, ran for 122 yards and converted 6-of-12 third downs last week against Washington. One reason for their efficiency, according to Bills radio color analyst Eric Wood, was the variety of offensive looks they put on the field.
"I loved how multiple they were offensively—jet sweeps, play-action, screens, run game, more Devin Singletary, mixing in Frank Gore, spreading the ball around the field," Wood told One Bills Live. "On a day where the clock was just grinding out in the first half, as I said only three possessions in the first half, they score on all three possessions."
2. 'MOTOR' SKILLS EMPLOYED
Rookie running back Devin 'Motor' Singletary seems ready to become an important part of the Bills offensive attack. He received 23 touches in the Washington game with 95 rushing yards and three receptions for 45 yards. He was on the field more than any other running back on the team, and now looks ready to become a major weapon in Buffalo's offensive arsenal.
Singletary's rookie season was set back a bit when he sat out three games with a hamstring strain suffered in the Giants game. Now, he looks back and says that three-game hiatus may have helped him.
"I believe that was a blessing in disguise," he says. "Rookie season, it's non-stop work, work, work. But during that time, I was able to get back to 100 percent. So, I'm definitely, definitely feeling good going into the second half of the season."
3. CONSISTENCY COMING FOR JOSH ALLEN?
He's always had the big arm, the dynamic athleticism, and a natural knack for leadership. Now, it appears Bills second-year quarterback Josh Allen may be developing a level of consistency that serves him well.
Allen has just two turnovers in his last four games. He's thrown 89 consecutive passes without an interception – a career high for him.
Qualified observers from the outside, like ESPN NFL and College Football analyst Dan Orlovsky, see marked improvement from Allen after 19 starts.
"There's much more consistency there.," Orlovsky told One Bills Live this week. "He's playing a much more consistent brand of football. And he's doing a nice job of not trying to be the hero all the time. Early on in his career, he was always trying to make a 'wow' play. Now there's a little bit of boring football that he plays, and it's a complimentary boring football. Josh is doing a nice job of when the plays are there – taking those plays. Not missing those plays."
Scroll through to view photos of every player currently on the Bills 53-man roster along with updates on their play to this point through 8 games.
#4 | Stephen Hauschka | K
One of Buffalo's captains in 2019, Stephen Hauschka has been his reliable self making 8/11 field goals, and 16/17 extra points.
#5 | Matt Barkley | QB
After signing a contract extension in the offseason, Matt Barkley has taken on the role of mentoring Josh Allen. He appeared in the New England game this season, and was 9/16 for 127 yards.
#9 | Corey Bojorquez | P
Bojorquez has appeared in every game for the Bills in 2019, punting 38 times for an average of 41.9 yards. He has downed 16 punts inside the 20, and has as long of 64 yards. He also serves as the holder for field goals and extra points.
#10 | Cole Beasley | WR
Cole Beasley has been one of Josh Allen's favorite targets since being acquired as a free agent in the offseason. He is second on the team with 35 catches, and has accounted for 337 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air so far in 2019. His 3 TD catches leads the Bills.
#15 | John Brown | WR
Another free agent acquisition, John Brown leads the team in catches (42), receiving yards (603), and yards per reception (14.4). After recording 76 yards on 4 catches against the Redskins, he became the second Bills WR ever to record eight straight games of at least 4 catches and 50 yards (Andre Reed).
#16 | Robert Foster | WR
Foster has appeared in five games for the Bills, spending time as a WR and as a valuable member of the special teams units.
17 | Josh Allen | QB
A first-time captain in 2019, Allen has started all 8 games for the Bills this season. He is 148/243 passing (60.9%) with 1653 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also picked up 247 yards rushing to go along with 4 rushing touchdowns.
#18 | Andre Roberts | WR
A dynamic returner on special teams, Roberts has been a valuable offseason addition. He is currently averaging 32.6 yards per return on kickoffs, with a long of 66 yards that he picked up against the Redskins.
#19 | Isaiah McKenzie | WR
A speedy playmaker, McKenzie has made the most of his touches so far in 2019. He has 10 catches on the year for 124 yards and a touchdown. He is also used very creatively in the running game, motioning across formations to spread defenses out.
#20 | Frank Gore | RB
One of greatest running backs to ever play in the NFL, Gore has been a steady presence in the backfield for the Bills this year. He has carried the ball 106 times for 437 yards (4.1 yards/ carry) to go along with 2 touchdowns, while also adding 7 receptions. He currently sits at 4th on the all-time rushing leaderboard with 15,185 yards.
#21 | Jordan Poyer | S
One of the anchor's of Buffalo's defense, Poyer has tallied 58 tackles through eight games, which is second on the team. His 38 solo tackles lead the Bills, and he also has a sack, an interception, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
#22 | T.J. Yeldon | RB
Yeldon has appeared in three games after coming to Buffalo in the offseason as a free agent. He provides a nice option in the passing game out of the backfield, catching 10 passes over his three games.
#23 | Micah Hyde | S
One of the most versatile players on the team, Hyde has played a huge role on one of the league's best defenses. Through eight games, he has 37 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and three pass breakups. He also returned an onside kick for a touchdown against Miami.
#24 | Taron Johnson | CB
Johnson plays the nickel corner position on this Bills team, and is a very important part of the defense. In four games this season, he has 8 tackles, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 2 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
#26 | Devin Singletary | RB
The rookie running back has been a big part of the offense after being drafted in the third round. Singletary is a great weapon out of the backfield, with the ability to run the ball effectively, and to make plays in the passing game. In five games, he has 267 yards rushing on just 40 carries (6.7 yards per carry), to go along with 12 catches for 103 yards. He has three total touchdowns on the year (2 rushing, 1 receiving).
#27 | Tre'Davious White | CB
Considered one of the best DB's in the NFL, White leads the Bills and is tied for fourth-most in the NFL with 3 interceptions this season. He has also tallied 34 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and 5 passes defensed through eight games.
#28 | Kurt Coleman | S
A veteran presence in the DB room, Coleman has been appeared in six games this year and plays a big role on special teams.
#29 | Kevin Johnson | CB
Johnson has been a solid rotational DB for the Bills so far this year, appearing in all eight games. He has 12 tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups in 2019.
31 | Dean Marlowe | S
Marlowe has appeared in seven games in 2019, making two starts. He frequently rotates in on defense, and plays a huge role on special teams.
32 | Senorise Perry | RB
He was signed to the roster before the Miami game in Week 7, and has appeared in all three games since. He is a very important part of the special teams units.
33 | Siran Neal | DB
Neal has appeared in all eight games for the Bills, making one start. He plays a variety of positions on defense, and has made 5 tackles on special teams, which leads the Bills and is tied for 11th in the NFL. He has 21 tackles, and a forced fumble.
39 | Levi Wallace | CB
The starter opposite of Tre'Davious White, Wallace has started all eight games for the Bills in 2019, and all 15 games of his career in Buffalo. So far in 2019, he has 39 tackles, and six pass breakups.
42 | Patrick DiMarco | FB
One of the leaders in the locker room, DiMarco makes his mark on special teams, and by blocking on offense. He has appeared in all eight games for Buffalo in 2019, carrying the ball twice to go along with his four receptions.
46 | Jaquan Johnson | S
The rookie safety has appeared in five games in 2019, primarily serving as a versatile special teams player.
49 | Tremaine Edmunds | LB
A first-time captain, Edmunds is the anchor of the Bills defense. Through eight games, he leads the team with 61 tackles, and is second on the team with 6 tackles for loss.
51 | Julian Stanford | LB
He has appeared in all eight games so far, serving as a valuable special teams player. He recovered a fumble in the game against the Eagles.
52 | Corey Thompson | LB
Another solid special teams player, Thompson also serves as a great depth option at linebacker. He has appeared in four games so far in 2019.
55 | Jerry Hughes | DE
Hughes has played in all eight games this season, totaling 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 4 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. He has 49.5 career sacks.
57 | Lorenzo Alexander | LB
A captain again in 2019, Alexander is one of the more versatile players on the roster. He moves around the field on defense in addition to being a great special teams player as well. So far in 2019, he has 31 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. His 4 tackles on special teams are second on the team.
58 | Matt Milano | LB
Despite missing one game due to injury, Milano ranks third on the team with 50 tackles in his seven starts. In addition to being terrific in pass coverage, he also has 5 tackles for loss, 3 quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery in 2019.
60 | Mitch Morse | C
The starting center on the O-Line, Morse has started all eight games since signing as a free agent in the offseason.
61 | Spencer Long | OL
A valuable rotational lineman, Long has the ability to play both center and guard for the Bills. He has been active for six games this season.
65 | Ike Boettger | OL
The young lineman has appeared in one game so far in 2019.
67 | Quinton Spain | OG
Spain has started all eight games in 2019 at left guard after signing as a free agent in the offseason.
69 | Reid Ferguson | LS
A captain on special teams, Ferguson has started all eight games for the Bills in 2019.
70 | Cody Ford | T
The second-round rookie has played in all eight games in 2019, starting seven of them.
71 | Ryan Bates | OL
A versatile lineman, rookie Ryan Bates has been active for three games so far in 2019. He has the ability to play all three positions on the offensive line if needed.
73 | Dion Dawkins | LT
A first-time captain in 2019, Dion Dawkins has started all eight games at left tackle so far this season.
76 | Jon Feliciano | OL
A free agent addition, Feliciano has started all eight games during the season at RG, and has filled in at center as needed. His versatility is a big asset.
77 | Ty Nsekhe | OT
Nsekhe has played in seven games this season, starting one. He is a great rotational piece at tackle.
81 | Tyler Kroft | TE
Kroft has played in three games after battling injuries early in the year, grabbing two passes for 32 yards in his first season in Buffalo.
82 | Duke Williams | WR
After being promoted from the practice squad, Williams has played in three games, catching 6 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
85 | Lee Smith | TE
Primarily used as a blocker, Smith has appeared in all eight games for the Bills in 2019. He has 4 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.
88 | Dawson Knox | TE
The rookie tight end is third on the team in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, with 14, 192, and 1, respectively.
89 | Tommy Sweeney | TE
Sweeney is another rookie tight end that has seen action in 2019, catching 3 passes for 38 yards in five games.
90 | Shaq Lawson | DE
Lawson has been a big part of the defense in 2019, playing in all eight games and totaling 14 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 QB hits, and a pass deflection.
91 | Ed Oliver | DT
The first-round pick in 2019 has played in all eight games, starting seven. He has 20 tackles, 1 sack, and 4 QB hits while drawing consistent double teams.
92 | Darryl Johnson | DE
Another rookie that has seen a ton of playing time for the Bills, Johnson has played in all eight games on defense and special teams. The seventh-round pick has 7 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 QB hits so far this season.
93 | Trent Murphy | DE
Murphy has started all eight games for the Bills in 2019, and has 13 tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss, 3 pass deflections, an interception and a fumble recovery.
94 | Corey Liuget | DT
Liuget was signed to the roster as a free agent before Week 10. He entered the NFL in 2011 as a first-round pick.
96 | Vincent Taylor | DT
Promoted from the practice squad before the Washington game, Taylor had 3 tackles and a tackle for loss against the Redskins.
97 | Jordan Phillips | DT
Phillips has been a monster on the Buffalo defense in 2019. Through eight games, he leads the Bills and all NFL defensive tackles with 6 sacks, and has added 16 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 8 QB hits, and a forced fumble.
98 | Star Lotulelei | DT
Star is an important part of Buffalo's run defense, and has started all eight games in 2019.
4. ALLEN VS. MAYFIELD ROUND ONE
He's gone up against Sam Darnold twice (one win, one loss). And Josh Allen will go head-to-head with Baltimore's Lamar Jackson in a month.
This week, it's Allen versus the top man in the NFL's 2018 quartarback draft class in Cleveland's Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield lit it up for Cleveland in 13 starts last year completing 64 percent of his passes with 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. But through the first half of this season, he's been outplayed by Allen.
In 2019 Mayfield has seven touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. Allen's half-season quarterbacks rating is 82.9 compared to Mayfield's 71.3.
5. 6-2 VS. 2-6
The midseason records may be the exact opposite of what NFL experts thought might happen in Buffalo and Cleveland this year. After a hype-filled offseason with big signings, the Browns were supposed to be the "It" team in the AFC. It hasn't happened yet. And ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky says they only have themselves to blame.
"They are the best team in the NFL—at beating themselves," Orlovsky says. "They're on pace to set the NFL record for penalties and they've turned the ball over as much as anybody in the NFL."
6. TIGERS ON THE LOOSE
The Bills shutdown corner, Tre'Davious White, will have his choice of which former LSU receiver to shut down this week. White, a 2017 LSU product, could face Cleveland wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. (LSU 2014) or Jarvis Landry (LSU 2014).
White is the standout on Buffalo's third-ranked pass defense but he'll be challenged by this pair. Beckham has 39 catches this year, Landry has 36. And Beckham is looking for more, complaining about a lack of targets in Cleveland's loss in Denver last Sunday.
"I can't get the ball to save my life," he said after the game
7. ADD ANOTHER PIECE TO THE BROWNS STRONG RUN GAME
Cleveland already averages 5.2 yards per rush, good for second in the NFL. Second-year back Nick Chubb has done most of the damage with 803 rushing yards already this year.
Here comes another threat—former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt. The author of 1,300 rushing yards in his rookie year in 2017, Hunt is eligible to return this week after serving an eight- game suspension. Browns Coach Freddie Kitchens says Hunt will have a role to play this week, after practicing the last two weeks.
8. POYER RETURNS TO 'THE LAND'
Bills safety Jordan Poyer spent most of his first four seasons in the league in Cleveland with the Browns. He's established himself in Buffalo over the last two-and-a-half seasons as one of the league's top safeties.
Poyer wrapped up his time in Cleveland on the sidelines, after suffering a serious injury, a lacerated kidney, six games into the 2016 season. He signed with the Bills the next year and has missed just one start in two-and-a-half years.
