Sitting at 7-3 on the season, the Cleveland Browns have established themselves as competitors in the AFC despite playing over half of the season with a backup quarterback under center. This week, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the Browns will take on the Denver Broncos, a team that has won four games in a row. This presents the Browns another opportunity for Myles Garrett and company to continue to establish themselves among the AFC’s elite.
The Browns currently sit less than a game back from the top of the AFC North leaderboard. They already have an over 80 percent chance to make the playoffs after rattling off three in a row and five of their last six games. With a win over another AFC opponent, the Browns can see those odds jump above 90 percent according to Sumer Sports. They have another opportunity to make a statement around the league.
As they look to move to 8-3 on the season with a win over the Broncos, here are five key points of emphasis to watch for the Browns.
1
Can Dorian Thompson-Robinson create fireworks down the field?
Dorian Thompson-Robinson was efficient and accurate in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the Steelers began clamping down and condensing toward the line of scrimmage as the rookie quarterback did not take shots down the field.
The second half was not quite as pretty as a result.
This will be the blueprint for the Broncos as well as they look to rattle the young gunslinger. Thompson-Robinson was eager to hit his check-down, and his average depth of target was extremely low a week ago. If the Browns want to find success through the passing game, it is going to have to come in far more ways than just sticking to route five yards from the line of scrimmage.
Thompson-Robinson did hit Elijah Moore on a 15-yard shot over the middle on his game-winning drive, but that was his longest throw on the day. The Browns need to keep the Denver defense honest and away from the line of scrimmage.
If they can stretch the field even just a few times, Denver will be forced to respect the deeper parts of the field. And even the run game will benefit as a result.
2
Myles Garrett and ferocious pass rush must take advantage of Russell Wilson's tendency to hold onto the football
Myles Garrett is the betting favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. Leading the league in sacks and every conceivable pressure metric this season, Garrett has been unblockable by every single offensive tackle he has faced.
And the Browns will need another heroic showing against the Broncos this week.
Garett Bolles is a formidable offensive tackle to face, but Mike McGlinchey has been a massive liability for the Broncos on the other side of the offensive line. The Browns will move Garrett around, and even move him overtop of the center as well and let him get after Russell Wilson from the interior as well.
Look for Denver to chip, double-team, and do their best to neutralize Garrett. This, however, has not mattered much in recent weeks as he continues to wreak havoc every week.
3
Overcoming injuries in the secondary
Injuries continue to take a toll on the Cleveland roster. It started with right tackle Jack Conklin and running back Nick Chubb and has continued with left tackle Jedrick Wills, quarterback Deshaun Watson, and now safety Rodney McLeod.
Now, cornerback Denzel Ward may miss extended time with a shoulder injury suffered in the win over the Steelers. With backup nickel cornerback Cameron Mitchell on Injured Reserve as well, it is worth monitoring how the Browns utilize reserve cornerback Mike Ford. Will he play in the nickel with Greg Newsome II outside? Or will they rotate Newsome II back into the nickel and play Ford outside when they go into nickel looks?
To make matters worse, all of Newsome II, and safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill are entering this matchup with dings as well. Thornhill did not play a week ago and just returned to practice on Thursday this week. Look for undrafted free agent Ronnie Hickman to see playing time on Sunday.
The injuries continue to stack up in Cleveland, but they continue to overcome. Next man up.
4
Efficiency-lacking run game needs to find down-to-down success
While the Browns have a top-five rushing attack in terms of yards per carry, those numbers are extremely deceptive. This rushing attack spearheaded by Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt has not been efficient on a week-to-week basis for the Browns.
Ford has been capable of hitting the home run, but there is a lack of trust that the run game can keep the Browns’ offensive drives on schedule when they need it to. All-in-all, however, sitting in the middle of the road in Expected Points Added per play on the ground without the league’s best running back could be considered a positive.
Even over their four-game win streak, the Broncos still field a below-average run defense. This must be the plan of attack to keep Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the offense on schedule. Again, finding some chunk plays down the field will lighten boxes, but an effective run game will take the pressure off of the rookie quarterback as well.
5
In D-Hop we trust
For the first time since the departure of Phil Dawson, there is a lack of anxiety when the kicker lines up for a field goal attempt. With youngster Cade York last season and all of the preseason, there was an uneasy feeling when he lined up even for extra points.
That has not been the case with Dustin Hopkins, the kicker the Browns traded a 2025 NFL draft seventh round pick to acquire. He has not been perfect this season, missing three kicks in 2023 thus far, but there is a professionalism about him that leaves the fanbase confident he has worked on his craft.
Hopkins has come through time and time again for the Browns this season, and in what looks to be another gritty, close game on Sunday, there is a good chance the gap will be three points again. But there is no fear that the moment will get the best of the veteran kicker who is putting together a Pro Bowl season.
