The Browns.
It’s a color palette and a team that hasn’t scared the Denver Broncos or their fans since Jeremiah Castille stripped Earnest Byner at Mile High.
Combining the regular season and playoffs, the Broncos and Browns have played a total of 32 games against each other. The Broncos have an overall record of 25-7 (78.1%) against Cleveland. In the regular season matchup, the Broncos have a 22-7 (75.9%). In their legendary postseason history – that includes only AFC Championship Games – the battles have always been interesting, but Denver has won all three en route to the Super Bowl.
The two teams will meet tonight in Denver on Monday Night Football, and – per the norm – the Broncos should not fear the Browns.
Or should they?
At 3-8 and holding a residence in the basement of the AFC North, the Browns, in theory, should scare absolutely nobody. But a look inside those three measly wins provides reason for pause. The Jameis Winston-led Browns have taken down the Steelers and Ravens – the best teams in their division, both of which handled the Broncos with ease.
The Broncos are a 6-point favorite and ride into tonight’s game on a two-game winning streak. But, strange things happen on Monday night.
How weird will tonight get? Here’s what our never-slack-on-Sunday scribes had to say.
Dan Mohrmann
Truth be told, winning a few early bets on Sunday made things exciting because I have a war chest to unload on the Broncos Monday night. Denver is 9-3 against the spread this year and even with Winston injecting new life into the Browns, I have no problem saying Denver is a vastly superior team. They’ve only lost two games all year at home and since those two losses, Bo Nix has grown up as a quarterback and the defense has gotten a big spark from the pass-rush, specifically Nik Bonitto.
And I’m willing to bet that Sean Payton wants to beat Jerry Jeudy as much – or more – than Jeudy wants to beat the Broncos. While Jeudy is talking to anyone who will listen, Payton will let the actions of Patrick Surtain II do the talking.
I might get crazy and actually move the line up for a better payout. I like Denver to win this 34-17.
Mark Knudson
“On any given Sunday (or Monday night)” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a real thing. The Broncos can’t just walk into Empower Field, toss the footballs out on the field and call it a win. By beating two teams, the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens (the latter on the road) that handled the Broncos pretty easily already this season, the Cleveland Browns have proven themselves to be a worthy adversary.
Denver was at its best during their last appearance before the faithful at Empower Field. They didn’t pack that good mojo for their trip to Las Vegas, but still managed an important win. The Broncos should come into the game with plenty of confidence while still having something to prove. That chip will be needed the rest of the way.
Jameis has given the Browns life to be sure. He’ll have his offense ready to play, and the Browns defense is already stout. Expect both teams to play well, and expect the game to be close. The Broncos edge will be the pumped up home atmosphere that comes along with the MNF crew. Will that be enough?
There’s an ebb and flow to every season. Things in and out of their control have been going Denver’s way as of late. Miami and Cincinnati losing this weekend, for example. It’s probably time for some leveling off. Cleveland with the upset win, 27-24.
Cody Roark
I think the line is fair, but the Browns are a tough team despite their record. They’ve got Myles Garrett who can wreck the gameplan if he gets going. I’m not much the type for putting out score predictions, but I think DEN wins this one by at least two scores and go into the bye week with cushion and momentum.