The Denver Broncos won their fifth-straight game on Sunday, this time a 29-12 win over the visiting Cleveland Browns in Week 12.
There’s a lot to digest from this game, so let’s begin with the key takeaways.
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The Broncos' run game worked well
The Denver Broncos made it a point to pound the ball against one of the best defenses in the NFL in the Cleveland Browns. The rushing attack churned out a season-high 169 yards, including two rushing touchdowns, one by quarterback Russell Wilson and one by running back Samaje Perine. This success helped the Broncos control the clock for 32 minutes.
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Marvin Mims continues to shine ...
Rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims is becoming more and more of an option for quarterback Russell Wilson and the Denver offense. A week after a two-catch, 12-yard performance against the Minnesota Vikings, Mims had two catches for 24 yards against the Browns. Mims also added one rush for 11 yards, to move the Broncos inside the Cleveland 10-yard line. He’s not getting many looks on offense, but Mims is taking advantage of every touch.
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... and take targets away from Jerry Jeudy
Mims’ target count and go-to electricity may be the sign that the Broncos are phasing away from 2020 first-round NFL draft pick Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy only had two catches for 11 yards against the Browns. Jeudy used to also be Denver’s end-around wide receiver rushing option, but Mims seems to be taking that role as well.
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The defense had a post-Thanksgiving turnover feast
The Broncos’ defense had itself a post-Thanksgiving smorgasbord of turnovers, a flurry of fumbles and a game-sealing safety against the Cleveland Browns. Denver forced five fumbles, recovering three in another big day for the unit. Their 15 turnovers in four games is the best mark of the franchise since 1989.
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Another game, another ridiculous touchdown catch
Last week, wide receiver Courtland Sutton made a circus catch to seal the game versus the Minnesota Vikings. This week, it was tight end Adam Trautman’s turn. In the fourth quarter. Denver was up 17-12, and Wilson and Co. were inside the Cleveland 10 yard line. Wilson faced pressure on third-and-goal, where he rolled right and tossed a sideline dart to Trautman. Initially, it was ruled an incomplete pass, but upon further review and a successful challenge by Denver head coach Sean Payton, the call on the field was reversed, and made the game 24-12 at that point.
Count it. 😤
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/t3yVlduB9Y
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 26, 2023
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Yessir! Five in a row, and a playoff push in reach
How sweet it is! This Broncos team is the hottest in the NFL, winning five games in a row, with one of the toughest stretches in the game behind them. With home wins against the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers and a road win against the Buffalo Bills, Denver sits squarely in second place in the AFC West at 6-5. Can this team survive a late-season schedule with a three-game road trip from Texas to Detroit? We’ll see, but this iteration of the Broncos has already surpassed the win total of disgraced former coach Nathaniel Hackett in 2022.
