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Bills vs. Browns: Peyton Hillis Imposing Will On Defenses

By Matt Warren Updated
MIAMI FL - DECEMBER 05: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns carries against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 5 2010 in Miami Florida. Cleveland defeated Miami 13-10. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
MIAMI FL - DECEMBER 05: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns carries against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 5 2010 in Miami Florida. Cleveland defeated Miami 13-10. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
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Matt Warren is Associate Director of NFL coverage for SB Nation and previously covered the Bills for Buffalo Rumblings for more than a decade.

The Cleveland Browns acquired running back Peyton Hillis as part of the Brady Quin trade in early 2010. The Denver Broncos sent Hillis and a sixth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for the QB. Hillis exploded onto the scene in week 3 when he made the start at running back and ran all over the Baltimore Ravens to the tune of 144 yards.

Hillis has been enjoying a hugely successful season. He has 962 yards on 217 carries and 11 touchdowns. The running back is also capable of hurting you in the receiving game and leads the team with 53 receptions. His 436 yards and two touchdowns are second on the team.

Plus look at those biceps!

The former fullback is a tough between-the-tackles type of runner who will really test the Buffalo Bills 32nd-ranked run defense. By the way, the Bills became the first team this season to allow over 2000 total rushing yards. They have allowed over 300 yards rushing more than the next closest team, Denver.

Over at Dawgs By Nature, SB Nation's Cleveland Browns blog, Chris Pokorny runs the show. Here are his thought on Hillis.

"Peyton Hillis is the best thing that could have happened to this franchise, and I never thought I would say that before the season because I was the biggest Jerome Harrison supporter. Hillis always runs tough and pushes piles forward. On pitch plays, he gets a good burst to the outside. He is probably one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. He is the complete running back, and the only thing he lacks is that he's probably not going to win a foot race against the fastest defensive backs. Instead, he'll just truck over them or stiff arm them to the ground en route to the end zone."

Hillis' main weakness is a propensity to put the ball on the turf. The bruiser has fumbled the ball five times this season, third-most among running backs. Maybe those biceps get in the way.

He has been named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week twice this season including Week 12. The Bills defenders are going to have their hands full this week.

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