The Denver Broncos picked up a huge win for their playoff chances by defeating the Cleveland Browns 41-32 in a back-and-forth thriller on “Monday Night Football.”
This game was a lot like a shootout James Winston‘s previous nationally televised bout, which ended in a win for the Browns against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday.
But Bo Nix, not Russell Wilson, was the opposing quarterback this time, and he continued to show why he’s a front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year as he picked apart the Browns’ defense.
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Denver Broncos fullback Michael Burton (20) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Nate Adkins (45) in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn images)
On the team’s second drive, Nix was methodical as he dissected the defense and found fellow rookie DeVaughn Vele for a 16-yard gain, putting the Broncos at the one-yard line. A few plays later, running back Javonte Williams scored the first touchdown of the game to put the home team on the board first.
But leave it to Winston to react immediately and launch one to Elijah Moore for a 44-yard gain four plays into the next drive to get into the red zone. Then David Njoku went up to throw in his first of two touchdowns on the night to even things up at 7-7 for Cleveland.
The Browns offenseBut Jerry Jeudy certainly came along, coming into this game against his former team saying he wanted to “beat their a…”.
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He lived up to those words with 235 yards on nine catches, including a 70-yard touchdown that came immediately after Nix sent a punt to Marvin Mims Jr. had thrown on third-and-11 for a 93-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
After the Broncos kicked a field goal to make it a 31-26 game, Winston was under center again, this time looking to take the lead for the first time in this game with a touchdown.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) reacts after his third-quarter touchdown reception against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn images)
That’s exactly what happened, when Nick Chubb was discovered on his route for a five-yard score.
However, Nix, who remained calm under pressure all season, continued his good performance by getting his team into the red zone again and Wil Lutz buried a short field goal to regain the lead, 34-32.
Winston again had a chance to respond, but he threw his second pick of the game, when Ja’Quan McMillan stepped on the out route and wasn’t touched after falling to the turf. He walked right into the end zone and pulled away late in the fourth quarter.
That was the seal of victory for Denver, as Winston and the Browns didn’t have any magic in them to pull another spoiler.
Looking at the stats, Nix went 18-for-35 for 294 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, with Mims (3 catches, 105 yards) and Courtland Sutton (6 catches, 102 yards) leading the team.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes the ball in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn images)
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On the ground, Jaleel McLaughlin had 84 yards on 14 carries for the Broncos.
For the Browns, Winston had a career-high 497 yards passing 34-of-58, while Moore also added 11 yards on eight catches. Njoku finished with nine receptions for 52 yards and his two scores.
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