Jamal Lewis ran for 163 yards, and Phil Dawson booted a pair of field goals in blizzard-like conditions as Cleveland downed Buffalo, 8-0, to inch closer to its first postseason berth since 2002. A treacherous winter storm dumped heavy snow on the Lake Erie shoreline and wind gusted to over 30 mph during the game as both offenses struggled to move the ball, especially through the air. Lewis got stronger as the game proceeded, however, and keyed a late drive that siphoned over four minutes off the clock, leaving Buffalo with under two minutes to go in its last possession. The snow had let up by that point and Trent Edwards took advantage, leading the Bills all the way to the Browns 10-yard-line with under 20 seconds to go. On fourth down, Buffalo went to the screen but Fred Jackson was stuffed for no gain as Cleveland held on for the victory. Derek Anderson completed just 9-of-24 passes for 137 yards for the Browns (9-5), who snapped a three-game skid versus Buffalo but failed to clinch at least a wild card spot when Tennessee came back to beat Kansas City. Cleveland did tie Pittsburgh atop the AFC North, however, and can clinch a playoff appearance with a win at Cincinnati next week. "The conditions were a great equalizer," said Browns head coach Romeo Crennel. "Both teams didn't get a lot done but we made enough plays to get ahead and that's what you need to do in this type of game." Braylon Edwards finished with four receptions for 64 yards for Cleveland. Trent Edwards connected on just 12-of-32 passes for 124 yards for the Bills (7-7), who lost for the first time in three games and were officially eliminated from the playoff race. Rookie Marshawn Lynch rushed for 82 yards on 21 carries for Buffalo. "It was disappointing for us and I tip my hat to them," Bills coach Dick Jauron said. "I thought our guys played pretty well considering the conditions. I don't remember another game like this. This is the worst I can recall ever being involved in." The Browns took an early 3-0 lead thanks, in large part, to a fluke play. Anderson threw a strike to Braylon Edwards on a key third-and-seven play, but the ball bounced off the receiver's shoulder pads and into the waiting hands of Joe Jurevicius, who rumbled down to the Buffalo 30 for a 25-yard gain. Cleveland eventually stalled at the 17 and was forced to settle for a 42-yard Dawson field goal with 6:51 left in the opening quarter. The elements helped the Browns extend their advantage early in the second quarter. The Bills lined up for a punt but long snapper Ryan Neill sailed the football over the head of Brian Moorman and the punter was forced to kick the ball out of the end zone and take a safety to make it a 5-0 game. Dawson's second field goal of the game, a 49-yarder with just 1:22 left in the half, gave Cleveland an 8-0 edge at intermission. Dawson had just enough leg to get the ball through a heavy crosswind and squeak it over the crossbar. Game Notes Trent Edwards did not complete a pass in the first quarter...Lewis went over 1,000 yards rushing for the sixth time in his career...Lewis' teams are 21-3 when the running back carries the ball more than 25 times. He finished with 33 carries in the game...Cleveland now holds an 8-5 advantage in the all-time regular season series...Anderson is 6-0 as a starter at home.
