The Denver Broncos keep on rolling.
Following a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday — their fifth-straight victory — the Broncos are now 6-5 and right back in the AFC’s playoff mix.
Denver’s defense started out hot, forcing Cleveland’s offense into a 3-and-out on the game’s opening drive. The Broncos then went 80 yards on nine plays before running back Samaje Perine scored on a three-yard touchdown run to take an early 7-0 lead.
On their ensuing drive, the Browns went for it on 4th-and-inches and failed to convert at midfield, giving Denver the ball back with good field position. The Broncos then promptly gave the ball back after quarterback Russell Wilson lost a fumble on an eight-yard run.
After that turnover, Denver’s defense forced another 3-and-out. Wilson then led another 80-yard drive that ended with his two-yard touchdown run that made it 14-0 in the second quarter.
After that, Cleveland turned to its ground game and drove 57 yards before settling for a 36-yard field goal to make it 14-3. The Browns later added a second field goal to make it 14-6 going into halftime.
After the Broncos went 3-and-out to open the third quarter, Cleveland went 79 yards and scored on Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant to make it 14-12. The Browns’ ensuring two-point attempt failed.
On its next drive, Denver went 70 yards down to Cleveland’s five-yard line before having to settle for a 23-yard Wil Lutz field goal, increasing the lead to 17-12 late in the third quarter.
After Thompson-Robinson left with a head injury late in the third quarter, the Browns fumbled early in the fourth and the Broncos recovered the ball at Cleveland’s 20-yard line. Wilson then threw a eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman to make it 24-12.
After another Browns lost fumble, Denver added a field goal to extend the lead to 27-12 late in the fourth quarter. The defense then put a cherry on top with a safety to secure a 29-12 victory.
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Houston Texans (6-5) in Week 13.