You won’t Sunday’s Bills-Browns game replayed on ESPN Classic anytime soon, but I doubt anyone in the Cleveland locker room really cares. The 6-3 victory in Buffalo, the Browns’ first win of the season, was ugly, sloppy and at some points utterly maddening, but it was a win nonetheless and certainly the team’s best defensive effort of the year. Here are three big observations from the mess that was Sunday’s win.

1. Shutdown D.

Rob Ryan had to prepare for a potentially explosive offense and he clearly put plenty of work in. Marshawn Lynch, in his second game back from suspension, was the most successful Bill offensively, rushing for 69 yards and caching six balls for 56 yards, but he couldn’t find the time or space to break off a big play, let alone the end zone. While Buffalo certainly didn’t help itself, committing 13 penalties for 75 yards, the Browns front four had pressure in Trent Edwards’ face all game. The strong winds also helped keep the ball out of Terrell Owens’ and Lee Evans’ hands, and the linebacker tandem of D’Qwell Jackson and Kamerion Wimbley held Lynch and Fred Jackson in check all day.

2. Dave Zastudil, MVP

For all it’s ugliness, Sunday’s game did demonstrate how punting can become the most important facet of a football game. Zastudil made nine punts, seven of which stopped inside the 20 yard line. In a tribute to great punt coverage as well, the Bills began three drives inside their five yard line, including two in the fourth quarter. The Browns’ coverage unit also recovered a muffed punt with three minutes left that led to the go-ahead field goal. It was a game of field position, and Zastudil brought home the victory.

3. Letting Lewis.

After taking two weeks off to nurse a strained hamstring, Jamal Lewis looked like the 2004 version of himself, amassing 117 yards Sunday on 31 carries. Lewis has been criticized the past few years for hitting holes too softly – tip-toeing through the offensive line instead of charging at the defense – but Sunday was a different story. He smashed into defenders aggressively, opting to run over people rather than around them. It will be imperative that he keeps running strong while Derek Anderson and the new, young receivers get used to each other.

---SUMNER WIDDOES