updated 8:20 p.m. ET Dec. 16, 2007

CLEVELAND - CLEVELAND (AP) — On a perfect day to build a snowman, the Cleveland Browns put one up on the scoreboard.

Jamal Lewis plowed for 163 yards and Phil Dawson managed to kick two field goals through harsh, wintry winds as the surprising Browns improved their postseason chances with an 8-0 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Around the golf course, a rounded number eight is referred to as a snowman, and in blizzard-like conditions better suited for the Iditarod sled-dog race, the Browns (9-5) didn’t mind shooting that score.

“When you’re a kid, you dream of playing in a game like this,” said Browns wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who grew up just east of Cleveland. “Today was the Turkey Bowl or the Christmas Bowl in the backyard when you’re wiping snow out of your eyes.

“This is why I came home — not for the elements — but to play in big games like this.”

The Browns, who never figured to be playing meaningful games in December when the season started, picked up one of their biggest wins since returning as an expansion franchise in 1999.

Cleveland needed a win and a loss by Tennessee to secure at least an AFC wild-card berth. Only half of that scenario unfolded as the Titans won 26-17 at Kansas City, but the Browns will clinch their first playoff appearance since 2002 with a win at Cincinnati next week.

There may be even more at stake. The Browns also moved into a tie for first in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who lost 29-22 to Jacksonville.

“It’s already the playoffs for us,” said Browns linebacker Willie McGinest. “That’s the way we’ve been looking at these games and that’s what we have to keep doing.”

The Bills (7-7) were eliminated from making the postseason. Cleveland’s win also eliminated the Houston Texans, who beat Denver on Thursday night.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

Buffalo looked more like a warm-weather team than one accustomed to the cold as the elements — along with Cleveland’s defense — prevented the Bills from scoring for the first time since they were shut out in the 2003 season finale by New England.

It was Cleveland’s first shutout since 2005 and just the Browns’ third since 1999. The NFL hadn’t had an 8-0 game since Nov. 10, 1929, when the Chicago Cardinals beat the Minneapolis Red Jackets.

The snow began falling — actually blowing sideways — off Lake Erie about 1½ hours before kickoff and by game time, Browns Stadium had been transformed into the world’s largest snow globe.

Video   A winter wonderland defense Dec. 16: Bob Neumeier reports from the Browns' win against the Bills on snow-covered Cleveland field. NBC Sports

“It was like something on the Discovery Channel about the North Pole,” said Bills rookie running back Marshawn Lynch, a Californian.

With wind gusts up to 40 mph and visibility limited, throwing the ball was nearly impossible and both teams had to rely on their running games to move the ball. But even that was tough as players struggled to get traction on the slippery, snow-covered surface.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Texans boot chances to beat rolling Titans Trash Talk: Thanksgiving games are just turkeys ‘Rogue tweeter’ hacks account of Jets’ Clowney PFT: Batch out — Steelers start to make calls PFT: Roethlisberger ‘appears well enough’ to play Rosenthal: Steelers’ playoff future slipping away PFT: Belichick says Saints are best team in football PFT: Lions coach takes issue with Mangini’s comments PFT: Bills contact Cowher, who says no ... for now PFT: Rams’ Bulger out 3-6 weeks with fractured knee NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: