The Denver Broncos took the first lead of the game and never looked back in their 29-12 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. As the Broncos revel in their fifth-straight victory, we take a look at the studs and duds from the game.
Stud: Broncos running attack
The Broncos’ rushing attack had one of his best games of the season. Running back Samaje Perine had several big plays in the Broncos’ five-game win streak, and none was bigger than his first quarter touchdown, his first of the year. Both Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams added to the bruising attack, and deep into the third quarter, quarterback Russell Wilson was Denver’s leading rusher.
Dud: Russell Wilson fumble
The Denver Broncos’ defense had just stopped another Cleveland drive in the first half, when Wilson ran the ball on 4th-and-2 from the Browns’ 42, gained five yards and had the ball punched out at the end of the run. Luckily, it didn’t lead to any Cleveland points.
Stud: Marvin Mims
The Denver Broncos finally got wide receiver Marvin Mims into the passing game on Sunday against Cleveland. Mims caught two passes for 24 yards on three targets, and also had one rush for 11 yards. The electric rookie receiver can do much more, but getting the ball to one of the fastest Broncos players on the field was one of team’s top to-do list items after the bye week.
Dud: Penalties
The Broncos continued to have penalties be a drive-killer, or a boost for their opponents. Some of the yellow laundry appeared on pre-snap offensive penalties, including an illegal snap on a kneel-down just after the two-minute warning. Other penalties were costly, such as a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty on Denver pass rusher Jonathon Cooper on a 4th-and-15 that knocked Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson out of the game.
Stud: Defensive dominance
The Denver Broncos continued their historic run of turnovers forced by the defense. The Broncos forced five Browns fumbles, recovering three on the day. Denver also sacked Browns backup quarterback PJ Walker for a safety at the end of the fourth quarter, which salted the game away with the 29-12 score, the first of its kind in NFL history. The Broncos outplayed a staunch Cleveland defense, albeit with several pieces on that unit missing, but Denver is peaking at the right time in the season. This is Denver’s first time above .500 since Week 3 of 2022, and their first five-game win streak since 2015, when they won the Super Bowl. Is this an omen?
The Broncos will now begin a tough three-game road stretch against the Houston Texans; then the team travels to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Chargers before going to Motown against the NFC South-leading Detroit Lions.
