How Denver matches up against Browns and predictions
Broncos (three-three) at Browns (three-three)
When: 6:twenty p.m. MT, Thursday.
Wherever: FirstEnergy Stadium
Radio/Television set: 850 AM, ninety four.1 FM/FOX, NFL Network
Climate: sixty seven degrees with a ninety% opportunity of rain.
Broncos-Browns sequence: Broncos are 21-6 in 27 regular-season online games relationship back again to 1970 Broncos gained 24-19 in previous conference, on Nov. three, 2019, in Denver.
Vital matchup
Situation Keenum vs. Broncos secondary
Right after currently being taken down a several pegs by Lamar Jackson, Ben Roethlisberger and Derek Carr, the Broncos secondary cannot manage to falter versus Browns backup Situation Keenum.
“We want (the defense) to do much better for the team on the backend,” Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell explained. “That’s the emphasis for this week.”
The good information for Denver as it tries to get the secondary back again on keep track of is that the Browns’ prime-rated speeding attack will be restricted without the need of the products and services of the injured Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The Browns’ wideouts are not at complete toughness, possibly.
Five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry may need to have some re-acclimation time immediately after missing the past 4 online games with a knee harm, whilst the Browns’ other prime vertical risk, Odell Beckham, is working with a shoulder harm and doesn’t have a TD this season.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons explained his unit is ready to turn its fortunes close to at FirstEnergy Stadium. While the Broncos have been ravaged by injuries at other positions these types of as inside of linebacker, the secondary’s well being continues to be fairly intact. Ronald Darby returned from injured reserve previous week, coming off a hamstring harm that had sidelined him due to the fact Week 1.
So there are no excuses for the secondary to not have a bounce-back again general performance. Denver’s provided up twenty passing plays of at the very least sixteen yards, and ten of at the very least 30 yards, more than the past a few losses.
“A good deal of (the current mistakes) are in some cases (due to the fact of) methods, in some cases communication, and just fundamentals — currently being the place you are intended to be, and not carrying out too considerably by supporting out in parts that didn’t automatically need to have assistance at the time,” Simmons explained.
“I’ve been declaring that the previous a few weeks. ‘Yeah, (coverage mistakes are) fixable, it is fixable, it is fixable,’ and the same factors hold popping up on tape. At a specific point in time, you have bought to correct it. I assume that is the most irritating portion, but that is my occupation. I’m heading to correct it.”
Who has the edge?
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater has been nursing a foot harm and is coming off a 4-turnover video game, but Vic Fangio believes he’ll perform Thursday. In the meantime, backup Situation Keenum (6-ten as Broncos QB in 2018) is starting off more than Baker Mayfield (torn still left shoulder labrum). Edge: Even
Operating back again
Cleveland’s starting off jogging back again tandem is sidelined, as equally Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are out with calf injuries. The Broncos jogging video game has been gradual to get heading this calendar year, though Javonte Williams is able of video game-switching bursts. Edge: Broncos
Receiver/restricted close
Wideouts Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, alongside with restricted close Noah Fant, will proceed to be Bridgewater’s main targets with Jerry Jeudy very likely unavailable. The Browns’ Jarvis Landry just returned from IR, and Odell Beckham Jr. is working with a shoulder harm. Edge: Even
Offensive line
The Broncos’ O-line is coming off a tough general performance, owning authorized five sacks and seventeen quarterback hits in the loss to Las Vegas previous week. Cleveland’s banged-up starting off tackles, Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr., have injuries and so does center JC Tretter. Edge: Even
Defensive line
Shelby Harris and Dre’Mont Jones need to have to generate additional go rush, though nose deal with Mike Purcell has been good in operate-stuffing. Cleveland boasts the game’s X-factor, close Myles Garrett, who qualified prospects the NFL with 8 sacks and 9 tackles for loss. Edge: Browns
Linebacker
Denver is without the need of equally inside of linebackers the rest of the calendar year with Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell out with pectoral injuries. OLB Von Miller guaranteed a good specific general performance. Cleveland rookie and primary tackler Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is on IR. Edge: Even
Secondary
The Broncos’ extremely-touted secondary has been toasted a few weeks in a row, and requires a bounce-back again general performance versus Keenum & Co. Greg Newsome and Denzel Ward direct the Browns’ cornerback corps, but Cleveland only has two picks this calendar year. Edge: Broncos
Particular groups
Brandon McManus has yet to miss a kick (twelve of twelve on discipline goals, twelve of twelve on excess points). The Browns’ Chase McLaughlin has been similarly helpful (9 of 9, 15 of 15). But past McManus, the Broncos unique groups are a oversight ready to happen. Edge: Browns
Tale of the tape
| Classification | Broncos | Browns |
| Whole offense | 368.three (thirteenth) | 396.three (ninth) |
| Hurry offense | 117.5 (14th) | 168.5 (1st) |
| Move offense | 250.8 (thirteenth) | 227.8 (26th) |
| Details for every video game | 21 (T-twenty second) | 26 (ninth) |
| Whole defense | 314.7 (4th) | 307.2 (2nd) |
| Run defense | 85.5 (fifth) | 87 (7th) |
| Move defense | 229.2 (eleventh) | 220.7 (ninth) |
| Details authorized | 18.three (4th) | twenty five.2 (twenty second) |
* By Week 6
By the figures
1-7 — Situation Keenum’s record in his previous 8 starts, which arrived with Washington in 2019 he is 27-35 in his occupation.
— Profession touchdowns for Cleveland’s starting off jogging back again Thursday third-stringer D’Ernest Johnson is creating his first occupation commence.
51 — The NFL-most effective yards for loss gathered on Myles Garrett’s 8 sacks this calendar year.
three — Limited close Noah Fant’s touchdown receptions this calendar year, which tie his occupation-substantial.
ten.8 — Diontae Spencer’s average yards for every punt return this calendar year, which ranks fifth in the NFL.
Betting/fantasy
Line: Browns -2
Irrespective of the rash of injuries to Cleveland’s starting off lineup, like a sidelined Baker Mayfield, the Browns are favored at home and rightfully so. The Broncos have yet to exhibit they can compete with a team that is not base-of-the-barrel. Even with Cleveland’s backup QB in, responding from a few straight demoralizing defeats on a small week is a challenging question for the Broncos.
Prop guess: More than/beneath forty two total points
Wager the beneath. Thursday Evening Soccer online games can are likely to turn into shootouts with equally defenses planning on a small week, but this one will not due to the fact of each individual team’s quarterback condition. The Browns have been forced to perform their backup in Keenum whilst Bridgewater, who limped close to the Broncos’ team facility this week, is working with a foot harm and his mobility (and usefulness) will be restricted.
Fantasy perform: RB Javonte Williams
At some point, the Broncos have to let the rookie unfastened. Williams’ substantial this calendar year was 64 yards in Week 2 in Jacksonville, and he’s only had one touchdown, which arrived in Week three versus the Jets. He’s been sharing carries with Melvin Gordon, but if offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur feeds the elusive and explosive Williams just a tiny little bit additional versus the Browns, he’s able of heading off.
Article predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Browns 24, Broncos twenty
Situation Keenum? The Broncos can not probably lose to Situation Keenum, right? Oh, yes they could. And it would make peeps in this dusty old cowtown very grumpy.
Kyle Newman, conquer author: Browns 24, Broncos 14
I’m accomplished selecting the Broncos, who have been discovered as pretenders. The Browns cruise to an simple victory as Situation Keenum shreds the overrated Denver secondary and the going to offense continues to be typically caught in neutral.
Ryan O’Halloran, conquer author: Browns 24, Broncos seventeen
The Broncos have gained their previous two Thursday evening street online games, but they gave no sign in Sunday’s loss to Las Vegas they can modify the script on one more season circling the drain. Cleveland produces two takeaways that direct to ten points.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos twenty, Browns seventeen
With Situation Keenum at QB, Cleveland’s deal with condition in tatters and the Browns missing Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, this one may possibly perform right into Von Miller’s hands. And into his promises.
