The Broncos are above .500 for the first time this season and have ripped off five straight victories after taking down the Browns at Mile High, 29-12. This loss also snapped a three-gaming winning streak by the Browns and drops them to 7-4 on the year.
This was a pivotal matchup for the overall playoff picture in the AFC and was largely a game of runs between these two postseason hopefuls. The Broncos jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the first half largely thanks to some sound running by Russell Wilson, who totaled 34 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Then, the Browns offense -- led by rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson -- started to find its rhythm and went on a 12-0 run sandwiched around halftime.
The first two scoring drives in the opening half saw Cleveland having to settle for field goals, but head coach Kevin Stefanski left his offense on the field midway through the third quarter on a fourth-and-goal situation from the 2-yard line. The unit rewarded him with a touchdown pass by Thompson-Robinson (his first career TD pass) to tight end Harrison Bryant. That score brought the Browns within two of the Broncos, but that's as close as they'd come to tying or taking the lead as their two-point attempt following the score failed and the Broncos proceeded to score 15 unanswered points en route to the win.
Thompson-Robinson was ruled out midway through the second half of this game after suffering a concussion on a hit from Baron Browning, which was called for unnecessary roughness. He finished 14 of 29 for 134 yards and a touchdown before departing. P.J. Walker came in under duress and completed six of his 13 passes for 56 yards. Meanwhile, Wilson finished 13 of 22 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown.
For more on how this game unfolded, check out our main takeaways below.
It sounds cliche, but this was a hard-nosed win for Denver. They established the run early in this contest as both Russell Wilson and Samaje Perine logged rushing scores in the first half. At the break, Denver was averaging over five yards per carry and had an overall more physical demeanor to their offense. While they were churning out yards on that side of the ball via the ground game, the defense was creating turnovers. In all, they unit recovered three fumbles on the day and really started to tee off in the second half with P.J. Walker under center. They defense piled up four sacks, including a late safety that put the game on ice.
There wasn't a lot of style points -- outside of Wilson's touchdown throw in the second half (more on that below) -- but the Broncos remain as hot as any team in the NFL at the moment.
The game plan went haywire after Thompson-Robinson was ruled out of this game due to a concussion. At the time he departed, Cleveland was down by just five points, but it proceeded to let the Broncos score 12 unanswered points with P.J. Walker under center. That said, the Browns did struggle early on in this game. They were 0-2 in the red zone in the first half and settled for field goals, while the Broncos were able to cash in for touchdowns on both of their red zone trips over the first two quarters. They also didn't play particularly strong complementary football as each side of the ball ran hot and cold at different points. Most notably, the Browns offense was finally able to punch in a touchdown after keeping the offense on the field on fourth down. That cut the Denver lead to just two points, but the defense then let Wilson and company drive 70 yards down the field in just over five minutes to kick a field goal and go up by five.
Turnovers were a key issue throughout this game for the Browns as well, fumbling the ball three times. Two of those turnovers resulted in 10 points for Denver.
The Broncos were able to blow the game open after a critical turnover by the Browns. In the aftermath of losing Thompson-Robinson due to injury, Cleveland elected to run a reverse with Pierre Strong Jr. and Elijah Moore. The exchange between the two was fumbled, the ball hit the ground and D.J. Jones was able to recover to give Denver possession at the Cleveland 20 yard line. The Broncos then increased their lead from five points to 12 thanks to a touchdown drive less than 90 seconds after the turnover. At that point, the Browns did not come close to gaining on Denver and mounting a comeback.
You could make an argument that Russell Wilson made more impact plays with his legs in this game rather than his arm, but the quarterback's eight-yard passing touchdown to Adam Trautman was vintage Wilson. On a third-and-goal play, Wilson danced around the pocket before firing a dart to the front right corner of the end zone to Trautman, who kept both feet in bounds for the score. That touchdown -- which was overturned on a challenge by Sean Payton -- was Wilson's lone passing score of the game, but it sure was one for the highlight reel.
From here, the Broncos will embark on a three-game road trip, starting in Houston in Week 13 where they'll take on C.J. Stroud and the Texans. As for the Browns, they'll be in L.A. where they take on the Rams.
And that'll do it from Denver. The Broncos have now won FIVE games in a row to get over .500 for the first time this season. As for the Browns, they have their three-game winning streak snapped and drop to 7-4.
What did we say earlier? This Denver defense was getting after Walker and has now just registered a safety to put this game on ice.
Great punt by the Broncos also pins the Browns at the 5-yard line.
With that last timeout called, the only other time the clock will stop for Cleveland is the two-minute warning.
It's now Cleveland vs. the clock as Stefanski starts utilizing his timeouts.
Denver's defense is starting to really tee off on Walker. Could very well see another turnover at some point.
The Browns have now ruled out Dorian Thompson-Robinson due to a concussion.
Oh boy. P.J. walker is sacked, the ball pops free and is recovered by Denver. All signs are currently pointing to the Broncos extending their winning streak.
The first chunk play with Walker under center is a 26-yard gain by Elijah Moore. The catch puts the Browns on the Denver 29.
Cleveland seems to be falling by the wayside. After the previous turnover which led to the Denver touchdown, the Browns go three-and-out and held the ball for 1:17 while traveling -5 yards.
Sean Payton's challenge is successful as the officials reversed the initial ruling of incomplete and Adam Trautman does record the 8-yard touchdown from Wilson. Fantastic play by Wilson to use his legs to extend the play and then throws a dart to Trautman. Denver takes the 24-12 lead.
When it rains it pours. After the injury knocks DTR out of the game, Elijah Moore fumbles and is recovered by the Broncos, who have it at the Browns 20-yard line.
Here's more of the hit that injured DTR and has now put P.J. Walker in the game.
P.J. Walker is coming in for Dorian Thompson-Robinson after taking that big hit from Browning.
Browning was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty on a third-and-12 play from just outside the Cleveland 20-yard line. Moves the chains for the Browns, but DTR took a tough blow.
There might have been an urge by Sean Payton to match the Browns energy by going for it on that fourth down attempt, but kicking the field goal to go up by five is the wise play.
This is an impressive drive for Denver in response to the Browns touchdown. They've traveled 68 yards in just over three minutes and now have the ball inside the 10-yard line, knocking on the door of another score.
DTR's ball to Amari Cooper was low and the two-point conversion was unsuccessful. It's a 14-12 lead for Denver.
Gutsy call for Kevin Stefanski as he keeps his offense -- that was 0-2 on the red zone for the game -- on the field for a fourth-and-goal play from the 2-yard line. Dorian Thompson-Robinson rewards him with a touchdown pass to Harrison Bryant.
Horrible penalty by Denver. Turns what would've been a fourth down field goal attempt into a first-and-goal for the Browns at the five-yard line.
DTR's strong finish to the first half seems to be carrying over in this opening drive of the second. A 16-yard pass now has Cleveland at the Denver 37.
Back-to-back 10-plus yard plays for this Browns offense have them at midfield.
