The Broncos are now in the AFC playoff picture. They will look to consolidate their position with a victory on Sunday.
Somehow the Denver Broncos are 5-5.
A four-game winning streak has propelled the Broncos into the AFC playoff race. In fact, Denver is just two games out of the AFC West lead.
Now the next big challenge will come Sunday at Mile High via the Cleveland Browns. The Browns bring one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the NFL.
And despite losing their running back and quarterback, Cleveland continues to find ways to win games.
That’s one of the benefits of the Browns’ great defense.
DraftKings Sportsbook seems to like Denver’s chances of keeping this streak alive.
The Broncos are currently -2.5 point favorites against Cleveland. The total for Sunday’s game is 35. Given the current quality of play from both defenses, it will take some work to get the upper hand.
Offensive Rankings
Cleveland: Nineteenth in total offense (325.8 yards per game), third in rushing offense (142.7 YPG), 26th in passing offense (183.1 YPG), 13th in scoring offense (22.7 points per game).
Denver: 23rd in total offense (301.2 yards per game), 14th in rushing offense (110.2 YPG), 24th in passing offense (191.0 YPG), 15th in offensive offense (21.7 points per game ). Defensive ranking
Cleveland: First in total defense (243.3 yards per game), 11th in rushing defense (99.6 YPG), first in passing defense (143.7 YPG), sixth in scoring defense (18.0 points per game).
Denver: 32nd in total defense (400.1 yards per game), 32nd in rushing defense (160.0 YPG), 24th in passing defense (240.1 YPG), 30th in scoring defense (26.8 points per game) match).
Here are the keys handed over by the MHR staff for Sunday’s match.
Score touchdowns in the red zone
This is the key to the game, but it’s true. It’s also the best way to combat the eventual end of turnovers generated by the Broncos’ defense.
Hopefully the Denver defense’s turnover streak continues for another week (especially against a rookie quarterback), but that shouldn’t be expected.
The Broncos offense needs to convert their red zone trips into touchdowns.
Denver was 1 of 5 in the red zone against the Vikings, so shooting field goals is not a sustainable way to win games.
There’s no late-game heroism either. The Browns provide Mile High with a very good defense, so Russell Wilson, Sean Payton and the Denver offense will need to address the red zone issues and score touchdowns. —Ian St Clair
Convert on third down
The Broncos have converted just 5 of 20 on third downs in their last two games.
The unit squandered the defense’s chances, whether through penalties or simply a lack of execution. The offense can’t keep failing on third down. —Nick Burch
Stop running
I said it last week and I’ll keep saying it until they do. The unyielding mentality is fine, but when teams consistently find ways to play against you, there’s a problem.
Turnover is great, but it’s not efficient when you’re trying to win games.
This game will likely be a defensive battle. If the Browns have success on the field, they can control the flow of the game and that is not a recipe for success for the Broncos. – Adamo Malnati
Open up the offensive a bit
The Broncos have been noticeably conservative for much of the game in their last two games.
The running game is stuck because it is so predictable. It’s time to open up the offense and make some more plays to push the ball down the field and get the defense off the line.
If the Broncos can do that, they should be able to both improve their scoring and get more out of their running game. – Sadaraine
Protect the QB
Protecting the quarterback is always important, but this week it’s even more important.
Myles Garrett leads the NFL in sacks and Cleveland’s defense has been one of the best in football so far this year (almost historically good). Russ has to do everything he can to win, which means it will take time. —Jeff Essary
Forced ball losses
The Broncos have been in great form in their last three games, forcing 12 turnovers. Vance Joseph’s next defender will be rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
If the Broncos can force him into a few turnovers and take advantage of them, they have a good chance of extending their winning streak to five games. —Christopher Hart.
