I’m watching to see if the Browns can finally win in Denver, they’re 4-14 all time against the Broncos in Denver. The last time they won in Denver was 2018, 17-16. This Monday night, Cleveland travels to Empower Field at Mile High to play the Broncos at 8:15pm EST. Last week Denver (7-5) beat the Raiders 29-19, and the Browns (3-8) beat the Steelers 24-19. The Broncos are 5.5-point favorites.

Browns Offense vs. Bronco Defense

The Browns are ranked 29th in total offense (292.5 yards per game), 21st in passing offense (204.3 yards per game), 29th in rushing offense (88.2 yards per game) and 30th in scoring offense (16.9 points per game). The Broncos are ranked third in total defense (296 yards per game), 15th passing defense (214.4 yards per game), sixth in rushing defense (96.2 yards per game) and third in scoring defense (16.8 points per game). The Browns offense is finally fun to watch but will have to be creative against a stout Denver defense. They’ve held opponents to under 20 points three straight games and have the number one redzone defense in the NFL (opponents are scoring 39.4% of the time). Their run defense holds opposing running backs to under 3.8 yards a carry and their pass defense holds opposing quarterbacks to under an 80 QBR. They also have the best pass rush rate in the league, last week against the Raiders, they had five sacks and ten quarterback hits. As a Team, they lead the NFL with 42 sacks. Browns QB Jameis Winston has been able to distribute the ball extremely well to his tight ends and wide receivers. To offset Denver’s pass rush, Cleveland will need to get the running backs more involved in the passing game with the use of screens. If the Browns can muster any type of rushing attack against a very good run defense, this will help play action and Winston targeting receivers down the field. In the Pittsburg game, we got the full Jameis experience, two turnovers (a fumble and an interception) and the game winning drive for the go-ahead touchdown. Winston will have to take care of the ball. The Browns will need to find a way to score more than twenty points.

Browns Defense vs. Broncos Offense

The Browns are ranked 21st in total defense (345 yards per game), 15th in passing defense (214.4 yards per game), 24th in rushing defense (130.6 yards per game) and 22nd in scoring defense (24.3 points per game). The Broncos are ranked 23rd in total offense (313.5 yards per game), 22nd in passing offense (201.9 yards per game), 22nd in rushing offense (111.6 yards per game) and 19th in scoring offense (22 points per game). After struggling early in the season, rookie quarterback Bo Nix has found a grove. He has five primary targets in the passing game, wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and rookie Devaughn Vele. Denver’s offensive line has been great in pass protection, allowing only nineteen sacks this year and only one in the last two games. While the passing game has been clicking, the run game has started to slow down. Last week against the Raiders, Denver only managed 60 yards and averaged 2.1 yards per carry. Cleveland’s defense will have to stop the run and apply their top ten pressure rate to harass Nix. When throwing the ball, Nix has had great success against zone coverages, but against man coverage he struggles. The Browns run the third highest man coverage rate in the league. Cleveland will have to have better communication in the secondary to prevent big plays and cornerback Greg Newsome will have to play better, against Pittsburg he allowed wide receivers to get behind him and left the Browns safeties in single coverage.