Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos Match Player Stats

The Browns and Broncos traded blows throughout their game. While Denver scored several touchdowns, Browns defense also made two interceptions that contributed to an exciting outcome.

On Monday night, the 3-8 Cleveland Browns will face off against the 7-5 Denver Broncos. Here’s a preview of some key matchups to look out for during this matchup.

Jerry Jeudy

No matter their loss to Bengals, Jeudy remains one of the Browns’ primary pass catchers and should continue receiving plenty of targets. His best chance to break out of his slump will come next week when they host Miami Dolphins; consider him an affordable WR4 option.

The Browns opened up the first half with an early drive that ended in a punt. Six minutes before halftime, Denver took over. Their second drive moved the ball well but ultimately stalled out in red zone requiring Lutz’s 36-yard field goal kick to extend their lead further.

Jameis Winston connected with receiver Jerry Jeudy for a 44-yard gain on Cleveland’s opening drive. Former Broncos receiver Jeudy spent four seasons there before being traded to Cleveland this season; currently, he leads Cleveland in receiving yards at 647!

Jeudy outshone his former teammate Patrick Surtain in Week 15 by leading all Cleveland pass-catchers in targets, receptions and receiving yards while scoring three touchdowns – he displayed that his future is bright in this league and provided vital assistance after Jameis Winston was removed as quarterback of Cleveland.

The next drive for the Browns was dismal, leading to an embarrassing punt. But their offense got back at them on kickoff when Denzel Ward intercepted Bo Nix and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown – perhaps not changing the outcome but certainly creating some pain!

The Browns scored another touchdown on their third drive thanks to tight end David Njoku. This play was especially significant as it came just one day after Njoku’s sister Aaliyah had been born with Trisomy 18, an extremely rare condition causing severe developmental delays. This score provided a huge boost for their team who trailed 21-17 with just 1:38 remaining in the first half; although their next drive ended up punting again; nonetheless they recovered possession with over two minutes left on the clock and eventually scored again!

David Njoku

David Njoku, recently awarded with a new contract by the Browns, has been an integral part of their offense this season. Receiving more targets than any other Browns receiver and significantly contributing to their improved offensive performance; becoming one of the premier fantasy options at his position.

Njoku will get plenty of chances against Denver’s formidable defense. They lead in points per game allowed and yards per play allowed while Browns rank near bottom in both. Yet despite these struggles, Browns remain competitive for playoff berth; therefore this matchup presents an opportunity to improve its defensive performance.

The Cleveland Browns have proven themselves hard to beat at their own stadium, and will have another opportunity on Monday when they host the Denver Broncos. Both teams have split their previous meetings while each is fighting hard for one of four AFC North spots.

The Broncos are currently 6-4 and looking to secure their first road victory of the season. Their secondary has been an issue all season, so perhaps this matchup will provide them with an opportunity to shine against an opposing offense that struggles so much like Cleveland’s does – creating turnovers while running the ball efficiently to create turnovers, yet needing improvement in their passing game.

Broncos offensive will have difficulty matching up with Myles Garrett, who already has 10 sacks this season and will pose a threat to Bo Nix and the Broncos offense. Outside linebackers such as Germain Ifedi and Nik Bonitto need to stay alert against this pass rush threat in order to contain its effects.

Nik Bonitto

The Broncos entered Monday Night Football with a two-game lead over their AFC Wild Card rivals. But this high-scoring, back-and-forth battle against Cleveland wasn’t without its drama; ultimately the Broncos took advantage of two pick-sixes from Jameis Winston late in the second half to seal their victory and remain on top in their division.

Bonitto has been an instrumental member of Denver’s secondary, and he showed it against Cleveland. Last season he recorded 13.5 sacks which could result in him receiving an expensive contract this offseason. Furthermore, he boasts four pass defenses and has forced two fumbles.

Denzel Ward made an amazing play during the Browns’ first drive of the third quarter when they tried to run. Covering Troy Franklin, Denzel got his hand in front of his pass to intercept it and give Denver an unexpected 13-0 advantage. It was an unexpected turn of events which helped their offense gain momentum and extend their lead further.

Winston made another costly error on second down from their own 29-yard line on second-and-11, trying to hit Jordan Akins with a deep pass that went underthrown and bounced right off his hands for Bonitto to return it 71 yards for a touchdown return.

As the fourth quarter commenced, the game remained tied at 14 before entering its final minutes. Following a forced three-and-out, they received possession with 90 seconds left but could not convert on fourth down and punted before Riley Dixon recovered it on their next possession and made sure of victory with a field goal by Brandon McManus.

In Week 13, the Broncos are looking to extend their winning streak and remain one of the league’s elite squads, in hopes of reaching the playoffs. Meanwhile, Cleveland are struggling and must begin picking up wins quickly in order to stay competitive in 2018.

Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns fell to Denver Broncos in an entertaining Monday Night Football shootout, which improved their record to 8-5 and kept playoff hopes alive while dropping Cleveland to 3-9 and thus officially eliminating them from postseason contention.

Lightning and rain in Denver caused almost an hour-long delay before both teams eventually took to the field with 30 minutes remaining. Within just a few short plays, Browns won possession and quickly marched downfield for Dustin Hopkins to kick a 42-yard field goal.

On their next series, the Browns faced a third-and-10 from their 41-yard line. Nix attempted a deep shot to Courtland Sutton downfield; however, cornerback Denzel Ward beat left tackle Garett Bolles and undercut it, effectively blocking Nix from hitting Sutton with it.

Myles Garrett then rushed the passer and stripped the ball from him, which was recovered by cornerback Elijah Moore. Following this turnover, the Browns quickly drove downfield again before scoring on an eight-yard reception by David Njoku to tie the game 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Jerry Jeudy made an immediate impactful statement when he returned to Denver as a Browns player, scoring their opening touchdown on an out route from Winston and stopping just short of the goal line before falling backwards into the end zone – giving Denver’s former franchise an early scare.

With just six minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Browns faced another third-and-10 at their own 41. Winston looked to target Jeudy again with a deep out route but Ward quickly cut him off, forcing an immediate punt.

In the final quarter, the Browns trailed by 10 points; however, they managed to force a three-and-out on their next series before driving downfield for another touchdown scored by Njoku on a nine-yard seam route play he caught off of an out of bounds play and score another score – an important play considering Njoku had struggled in previous games against both Bengals and Chiefs.