The Denver Broncos picked up a huge win for their playoff chances, taking down the Cleveland Browns, 41-32, in a back-and-forth thriller on “Monday Night Football.”
This game was a shootout much like Jameis Winston’s previous nationally televised bout, which ended in victory for the Browns this past Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But Bo Nix, not Russell Wilson, was Winston’s opposing quarterback this time, and he continued to show why he’s an Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner 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, finding fellow rookie DeVaughn Vele for a 16-yard gain that landed the Broncos at the one-yard line. A few plays later, running back Javonte Williams scored the game’s first touchdown to get the home team on the board first.
But leave it to Winston to immediately respond, launching 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 upstairs to haul in his first of two touchdowns on the night for Cleveland to tie things up 7-7.
The Browns’ offense, though, definitely ran through Jerry Jeudy, who went into this contest against his former team saying he wanted to “whip 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 had thrown a dot to Marvin Mims Jr. 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 back 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 following his touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
That’s exactly what happened, as Nick Chubb was uncovered on his route for a five-yard score.
However, Nix, who has been calm under pressure throughout this season, continued his good performance by getting his team into the red zone once more and Wil Lutz buried a short field goal to retake the lead, 34-32.
Winston had a chance to respond once more, but he threw his second pick-six of the game, as Ja’Quan McMillan stepped into the out route and wasn’t touched after falling to the turf. He walked right into the end zone to pull away late in the fourth quarter.
That was the victory seal for Denver, as Winston and the Browns didn’t have any magic in them to pull spoiler yet again.
Looking at the stat sheet, Nix was 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 whopping 497 yards passing on 34-of-58 with Moore also tallying 11 yards on eight catches. Njoku finished with nine receptions for 52 yards and his two scores.
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