THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: DENVER BRONCOS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

BY ADAM GREENE

As September ended, this looked like a potential match up between playoff teams. Now, it almost feels like an early season elimination game as the Denver Broncos travel to FirstEnergy Stadium to face the banged-up Cleveland Browns.

There are seven available playoff spots in the AFC and, if they playoffs started today, neither of these teams would make it. While it’s still early to be talking about the postseason, what makes it pertinent is who the Browns and Broncos look to be battling for those three Wild Card spots; the Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders are both 4-2. At 3-3, you have the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. The loser of this game falls significantly behind.

Denver leads the overall series by a wide margin, 24-6. Three of those Browns victories came in the first four meetings between the two franchises from 1970-74. That means from 1975 until today, Cleveland has won a total of three games against the Broncos. One of those victories did come in 2018, with the Browns winning 17-16 in a battle between Baker Mayfield and his current back up Case Keenum, who was Denver’s starter. It was the first Cleveland victory over the Broncos since 1990.

DENVER BRONCOS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (-3.5, O/U: 42.5)

Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Broadcast: FOX/NFL Network

Kickoff: Oct. 21, 8:20 p.m.

DENVER BRONCOS (3-3)

While much has been (and will be) made of the Browns’ injury woes, Denver doesn’t come into this game 100 percent. Teddy Bridgewater is dealing with a foot injury, but is expected to play. Last week the Broncos fell 34-24 to a fired up Las Vegas Raiders team happy to have their distraction of a head coach removed. Bridgewater played the full game, in spite of the hurt foot, finishing 35 of 49 for 334 yards, three touchdowns and an uncharacteristic three interceptions. He was sacked five times. Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton were his favorite targets. Fant caught nine passes for 97 yards and a score. Sutton had eight grabs for 94 yards and a TD.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-3)

The Browns’ injury report is pretty much their entire team, but the biggest obstacle they have to overcome is Baker Mayfield’s torn labrum in his left arm. Mayfield is out and Case Keenum will start in Thursday night’s game.

Last week Cleveland was dominated by the Arizona Cardinals, losing 37-14. Mayfield completed 19 of 28 for 234 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked five times. Donovan Peoples-Jones hauled in four passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Odell Beckham Jr. got nicked up himself, but had five catches for 79 yards.

THE PICK

Mayfield is out and Cleveland has been a pretty big disappointment so far this season. Even with the prospects of getting Jarvis Landry back, I think Denver’s defense (and especially pass rush) will be too much to handle. Broncos 23, Browns 17

Last week

Straight up: 10-4

Against the spread: 10-4

Season

Straight up: 63-31

Against the spread: 50-44

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