Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Buffalo vs Cleveland on August 22, 2026?

Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction points toward Buffalo in a competitive Week 2 preseason matchup at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The Buffalo Bills enter the game 1-0 in the preseason, while the Cleveland Browns are 0-1. With Buffalo listed as a 3-point underdog and Cleveland favored by 3 points, the matchup presents an interesting opportunity for NFL bettors evaluating the spread, moneyline and total. Based on the supplied AI prediction, statistical profile and recent preseason betting trends, the Bills are projected to win by 3 points.

Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction: Direct Answer

Who will win the Bills vs Browns preseason game? The prediction is Buffalo Bills to win by 3 points. Buffalo has the stronger offensive profile entering Week 2, averaging 29 points and 396 total yards per game in the supplied preseason statistics. The Bills also rank fourth in rushing offense and sixth in passing offense, while Cleveland has struggled considerably defensively, allowing 430 yards per game.

The most important factor in the Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction is the contrast between Buffalo’s balanced offense and Cleveland’s defensive vulnerability through the air. The Browns have allowed 348 passing yards per game, which ranks 32nd in the supplied NFL defensive statistics. That creates an appealing matchup for Buffalo’s quarterback rotation and passing game.

The Browns do have home-field advantage and are favored by three points, but the statistical gap makes Buffalo an intriguing underdog.

Prediction: Buffalo Bills to win by 3 points.

Pick: Bills +3.0

Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction and Odds

The Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction comes with the following Week 2 betting market:

Betting Market | Buffalo Bills | Cleveland Browns
Record | 1-0 | 0-1
Moneyline | +130 | -158
Spread | +3.0 | -3.0
Total | Over/Under 36.5 | Over/Under 36.5
Venue | Huntington Bank Field | Huntington Bank Field
Date | Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time | 1:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM ET

The Browns are favored on the moneyline at -158, while Buffalo is available at +130. Cleveland is also laying three points against the spread. That means bettors backing Buffalo can take the three points, while bettors taking Cleveland need the Browns to win by at least four points to cover.

The total is set at 36.5 points, making the Over/Under another important component of this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction.

Because this is preseason football, quarterback rotations, playing time and second- and third-string personnel can have a much larger impact than they would during the regular season. That makes it especially important to evaluate the available statistics rather than relying exclusively on the moneyline.

Why the Bills Are the Pick

The strongest argument for Buffalo in this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction is offensive production.

The Bills have scored an average of 29 points per game, compared with only 10 points per game for Cleveland in the supplied statistics. Buffalo is also averaging 396 yards per game, fourth in the NFL, while Cleveland is averaging 314 yards.

That difference becomes even more interesting when the offensive categories are separated.

Buffalo is averaging:

151 rushing yards per game

245 passing yards per game

396 total yards per game

29 points per game

Cleveland is averaging:

108 rushing yards per game

206 passing yards per game

314 total yards per game

10 points per game

The Bills therefore have a significant advantage in both total offensive production and scoring.

For a preseason matchup, offensive efficiency can be difficult to predict because starters may play only limited snaps. However, the depth of an offense becomes important once the first-team players leave the field. Buffalo’s numbers suggest the team has been able to generate production across its roster.

That makes the three points particularly attractive.

Buffalo’s Passing Game Could Be the Difference

The biggest statistical mismatch in this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction comes through the air.

Buffalo is producing 245 passing yards per game, ranking sixth in the supplied statistics. Cleveland, meanwhile, is allowing 348 passing yards per game, which ranks 32nd.

That is a substantial gap.

The Browns have been much better against the run, allowing only 82 rushing yards per game, which ranks ninth. But their pass defense has been a completely different story.

If Buffalo chooses to attack Cleveland through the air, the Bills have a statistical pathway to move the football consistently.

This is especially relevant in preseason football because backup quarterbacks often rely heavily on quick throws and short-to-intermediate concepts. Those plays can keep drives alive and generate opportunities against a defense that has struggled to limit passing production.

Buffalo does not necessarily need a dominant performance to cover +3. If the Bills can generate a few sustained drives through the passing game, they should have enough offensive opportunities to keep the game within one score.

Cleveland’s Defense Is the Biggest Concern

The Browns’ defensive statistics provide one of the strongest reasons to oppose the favorite in this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction.

Cleveland is allowing:

34 points per game

430 total yards per game

348 passing yards per game

82 rushing yards per game

The 430 yards allowed per game rank 28th overall, while the 348 passing yards allowed rank 32nd.

That combination is difficult to ignore.

Cleveland’s rushing defense is actually a strength, but the Browns have not been able to replicate that performance against the pass. Buffalo’s offense happens to be well equipped to exploit that weakness.

The Browns also have only two sacks in the supplied defensive statistics, compared with four for Buffalo. While preseason sack numbers can fluctuate considerably based on personnel and play-calling, Buffalo has shown the better ability to create pressure so far.

If Buffalo wins the early-down passing battle and prevents Cleveland from generating consistent pressure, the Bills should have a good chance of controlling the game.

Buffalo Bills Offensive Statistics

The Bills have produced one of the stronger offensive profiles in the supplied Week 2 statistics.

Buffalo ranks:

2nd in scoring at 29 points per game

4th in total offense at 396 yards per game

4th in rushing at 151 yards per game

6th in passing at 245 yards per game

That balance is important.

A preseason team cannot always rely on one quarterback or one offensive unit. Rotations are constantly changing, and players who normally do not play together are asked to operate as a unit.

Buffalo’s ability to produce both on the ground and through the air gives the team multiple ways to generate offense.

The Bills are also averaging 151 rushing yards per game, which could become particularly useful if Cleveland adjusts its coverage schemes to protect against Buffalo’s passing attack.

If the Browns dedicate additional defenders to the passing game, Buffalo can potentially attack the lighter box with its running game.

Cleveland Browns Offensive Statistics

Cleveland’s offense has been much less productive in the supplied numbers.

The Browns are averaging only 10 points per game and 314 total yards.

Their passing offense ranks 12th at 206 yards per game, while their rushing offense ranks 14th at 108 yards per game.

Those numbers are not necessarily disastrous, but the scoring production is the major concern.

Cleveland has generated 314 yards per game but has scored only 10 points. That suggests the Browns have had difficulty turning offensive possessions into touchdowns.

That distinction matters for the Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction because the total is only 36.5. A team that struggles to convert yardage into points can make it difficult for the favorite to create separation.

If Cleveland moves the ball but repeatedly settles for field goals or comes away empty-handed, Buffalo’s +3 becomes even more valuable.

Bills vs Browns Defensive Comparison

Buffalo also has the better defensive statistical profile.

The Bills are allowing:

14 points per game

201 yards per game

61 rushing yards per game

140 passing yards per game

Cleveland is allowing:

34 points per game

430 yards per game

82 rushing yards per game

348 passing yards per game

The difference is substantial.

Buffalo’s defense ranks fifth in total yards allowed and third against the run in the supplied statistics. The Bills have also allowed only 14 points per game.

That gives Buffalo an important advantage if the game becomes a battle of backup units.

Preseason games often become unpredictable once starters leave the field. But a defense capable of limiting explosive plays and forcing long drives has a better chance of maintaining that consistency throughout the game.

Bills vs Browns Preseason Betting Trends

The recent betting trends supplied for this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction provide additional support for Buffalo.

The Bills have gone 3-0 in their last three preseason games when the total was 42 points or lower.

Buffalo has also gone 6-2 to the Over in its last eight preseason games.

Another notable trend is Buffalo’s 3-1 straight-up record in its last four preseason road games.

Those trends are particularly relevant because Saturday’s game is being played in Cleveland.

Meanwhile, Cleveland has gone 3-0 against the spread in its last three preseason games as a favorite. That is the strongest trend working against the Buffalo pick.

The Browns have also gone Over in nine of their last 14 preseason games and have hit the Over in three consecutive preseason games following a loss.

So while the side favors Buffalo based on the supplied statistical model, the betting trends create a more complicated picture for the total.

Is Bills vs Browns Over or Under 36.5?

The total for this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction is 36.5 points.

There are arguments for both sides.

Buffalo’s recent preseason history strongly supports the Over. The Bills have gone Over in six of their last eight preseason games, while Cleveland has gone Over in nine of its last 14 preseason games.

However, the matchup itself creates an interesting question.

Buffalo has allowed only 14 points per game, while Cleveland has scored only 10 points per game in the supplied statistics. Those numbers could make it difficult for Cleveland to contribute enough points to push the game comfortably Over 36.5.

The strongest case for the Over is Buffalo’s offensive production combined with Cleveland’s poor pass defense.

The strongest case for the Under is Buffalo’s defense and Cleveland’s inability to convert yardage into points.

For that reason, the spread remains the more attractive betting angle in this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction.

Bills vs Browns Head-to-Head History

The supplied head-to-head history includes several previous meetings between Buffalo and Cleveland.

In the 2018 preseason, Buffalo defeated Cleveland 19-17 at Huntington Bank Field. That game finished Under a total of 43 points.

The teams also met during the 2015 preseason, when Buffalo won 11-10 at Huntington Bank Field. That game also finished Under, with the total set at 40 points.

More recently, Buffalo defeated Cleveland 23-20 during Week 16 of the 2025 regular season at Huntington Bank Field. That matchup went Over a total of 41 points.

The teams also met during the 2022 regular season, with Buffalo winning 31-23 at Ford Field. That game went Over a 50-point total.

While historical head-to-head results should not be overweighted in preseason betting, the history does demonstrate that Buffalo has had success against Cleveland in recent meetings.

Why Bills +3 Has Value

The central question for the Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction is whether Cleveland deserves to be a three-point favorite.

The market says yes.

The statistical profile says the answer may be no.

Buffalo has the better record entering Week 2, the better scoring offense, the better total offense, the better rushing offense, the better passing offense and the better defense in the supplied statistics.

Cleveland has home-field advantage and has performed well against the spread as a preseason favorite, but those advantages are counterbalanced by its defensive statistics.

The three-point spread is particularly important because a field goal is one of the most common margins in football.

Taking Buffalo +3 gives bettors protection in a game where the model expects the Bills to win by approximately three points. If Buffalo wins outright, the bet cashes. If Cleveland wins by a field goal, Buffalo +3 pushes rather than loses.

That makes the underdog particularly appealing at the current number.

Buffalo Bills Preseason Road Performance

Road preseason games can present additional challenges, but Buffalo’s recent record in this situation is encouraging.

The Bills are 3-1 straight up in their last four preseason road games according to the supplied trends.

That suggests Buffalo has not been overly affected by traveling during the exhibition schedule.

The Saturday afternoon start also means the game should have a different rhythm than a typical prime-time matchup. Coaches will be evaluating large groups of players, and the result can come down to which team’s depth maintains execution after halftime.

Buffalo’s statistical balance makes it easier to trust the team in that environment.

Browns’ Home-Field Advantage

Cleveland does have a legitimate advantage in this Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction because the game is being played at Huntington Bank Field.

The Browns are also coming off a loss, meaning the coaching staff will have another opportunity to evaluate how its roster responds.

But preseason home-field advantage is generally less predictable than it is during the regular season.

The primary reason is that the players responsible for generating the crowd noise and home-field energy may not be on the field for the majority of the game.

If Cleveland’s starters play limited snaps, the game becomes a contest between backup units. At that point, the three-point home-field premium becomes less meaningful.

Bills vs Browns Injury Report

The supplied injury report lists several players unavailable for Buffalo and Cleveland.

Buffalo Bills Injuries

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles — Out, undisclosed

Phidarian Mathis — Out, suspension

Tyrell Shavers — Out, knee

Dorian Strong — Out, neck

Cleveland Browns Injuries

Maliek Collins — Out, quadriceps

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah — Out, neck

Kendrick Green — Out, undisclosed

Damarri Mathis — Out, knee

Jamari Thrash — Out, undisclosed

Tyron Herring — Out, undisclosed

Injuries are especially important in preseason because roster depth is the entire purpose of these games. Losing a starter may not have the same impact as losing a backup who was expected to play extensively.

The status of players closer to kickoff should therefore be monitored before placing a wager.

What Is the Best Bills vs Browns Preseason Bet?

Based on the supplied AI projection, statistics and betting trends, the best wager is Bills +3.0.

Buffalo has demonstrated the stronger overall statistical profile, particularly on offense and defense. The Bills are scoring 29 points per game while Cleveland is scoring only 10, and Buffalo is producing 396 yards per game compared with Cleveland’s 314.

The biggest matchup advantage is Buffalo’s passing attack against Cleveland’s pass defense.

The Bills rank sixth in passing offense at 245 yards per game, while Cleveland ranks 32nd in passing defense after allowing 348 yards per game.

That discrepancy provides a clear path for Buffalo to move the ball.

The Browns’ strongest statistical unit is their run defense, but Buffalo does not need to rely exclusively on its rushing attack. The Bills have enough balance to attack Cleveland in multiple ways.

Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction: Key Matchup

Buffalo passing offense vs. Cleveland passing defense is the matchup to watch.

If Buffalo consistently moves the football through the air, the Bills should be able to produce enough points to stay ahead of the spread.

Cleveland’s defense has allowed 348 passing yards per game in the supplied statistics, while Buffalo’s offense has produced 245 passing yards per game.

That does not guarantee a Buffalo victory, particularly with preseason rotations, but it is the clearest statistical mismatch in the matchup.

The team that wins this battle should have a major advantage.

Bills vs Browns Prediction: Final Analysis

The Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction comes down to whether Buffalo’s offensive and defensive advantages outweigh Cleveland’s home-field advantage and status as the betting favorite.

The numbers favor Buffalo.

The Bills are 1-0 in the preseason, while Cleveland is 0-1. Buffalo is averaging 29 points per game and 396 yards, while Cleveland is averaging only 10 points and 314 yards. Buffalo also has the superior defensive profile, allowing just 14 points and 201 yards per game.

The most significant statistical difference is through the air. Buffalo averages 245 passing yards per game, while Cleveland’s defense has allowed 348 passing yards per game.

Cleveland has been much stronger against the run, but Buffalo’s balanced offensive attack gives the Bills other avenues to create production.

The betting trends also provide reasons to respect Buffalo as an underdog. The Bills are 3-1 straight up in their last four preseason road games, while the Browns’ 3-0 ATS record as a preseason favorite represents the biggest argument for Cleveland.

Ultimately, the three-point cushion provides valuable protection in what projects to be a competitive game.

The AI prediction calls for Buffalo to win by 3 points.

Final Pick

Bills +3.0

Predicted Winner

Buffalo Bills

Predicted Margin

Bills by 3 points

Betting Total

Over/Under 36.5 — lean Over based on the supplied preseason trends, but the spread is the preferred wager.

Bills vs Browns Preseason NFL Prediction FAQ

Who is favored in the Bills vs Browns preseason game?

The Cleveland Browns are favored by 3 points at home. Cleveland’s moneyline is listed at -158, while Buffalo is +130.

Who is the Bills vs Browns preseason prediction picking?

The prediction is picking the Buffalo Bills to win by 3 points.

What is the best Bills vs Browns preseason bet?

The recommended wager is Buffalo +3.0. The Bills have the stronger overall statistical profile and receive a valuable three-point cushion.

What is the Bills vs Browns over/under?

The total is 36.5 points.

Will Bills vs Browns go Over or Under 36.5?

The supplied trends lean toward the Over, with Buffalo going Over in six of its last eight preseason games and Cleveland going Over in nine of its last 14. However, the spread is the preferred wager.

Where is Bills vs Browns being played?

The game will be played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

When is Bills vs Browns?

The Bills vs Browns preseason matchup is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET.

What is the final Bills vs Browns prediction?

Buffalo Bills +3.0 is the final pick, with the prediction calling for Buffalo to win by 3 points.