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Well. That was unexpected, or maybe not, I don't know. In either case, a win is a win, especially when you can get one at the expense of your rival. In Primetime. With less than a minute remaining.
Enjoy it Browns fans, I know there hasn't been much to celebrate, or even be happy about with the way this season has played out, but it's the holiday season, so strap on that smile and be as happy as you can manage. With very little to play for left in this season, except for maybe a couple more upsets, we're going to start looking forward to what the offseason could potentially bring in the coming weeks, starting this week with the Browns' needs in the draft.
Browns (3-8) @ Broncos (7-5)
Line - Browns +5.5 O/u 41.5
Series - Denver 25-7
Last matchup - Denver 29-12 on November 26, 2023 in Denver CO
Is that a Draft I feel?
It's not too much of a secret what the Browns' needs are in this upcoming Draft, but I may be saying some (kinda) crazy things in the coming weeks regarding the Browns draft choices and who they should select or what moves they should make.
Needs - QB, OL, EDGE, RB, CB
I know, QB *DUH!*, I think you could say that they've needed a QB since they made the mistake of letting the "touchdown maker" Mayfield go to find a warmer reception in Tampa. The Deshaun Watson trade has officially replaced the Herschel Walker trade as the worst trade in NFL History, just deal with it.
So, QB, what else? How about some healthy offensive linemen? Between veteran Jack Conklin and (relative) neophyte Jedrick Wills Jr missing chunks of the season in addition to losing Dawand Jones, James Hudson III, Nick Harris, and Luke Wypler to season-ending injuries. Yes, injuries happen, it's inevitable in this sport, and especially on the line. But, regardless of how talented the above names might be, availability is the most important ability.
How about we get some help for Myles Garrett while he's still in his prime? Za'Darius Smith filled in nicely for a while but he's now gone, traded to Detroit, and while I like the depth (to a degree) along the line, none of them are ever going to be the 8-10 sack compliment that Garrett needs as a complimentary piece.
If you say "But we have Nick Chubb!", I'm going to need you to stop chugging that Kool-Aid, just, please, put it down. Looking at things critically, Chubb is going to be 30 before the end of the 2025 season, he's had multiple surgeries on both knees, and he's a free agent at the end of this season. That's what? 6 strikes? IF, and that's a big if, he's willing to sign a reasonable two or three year (incentive-laden) deal with a minimal signing bonus, I would love to have him back. If, however, he's going to insist on hitting the jackpot again, I'll just as gladly release him to the wild of NFL free-agency.
Lastly, the corners, and I'm mostly concerned about Denzel Ward's future given that he's suffered several concussions in he career. I'm also concerned that the depth there is lacking. the days of being able to roster 5 corners and call it good are gone and while missing Myles Harden and Tony Brown did the secondary no favors, it's not the absence of those two that has left the secondary wanting.
Next week we'll start looking at possible first round picks and the possibility of a trade up or down.
Bits and Baubles
The Browns last victory in Denver was in 2018, prior to that, it was1990, the Browns are 4-14 in Denver.
The Broncos' rookie QB Bo Nix has won the NFL Rookie of the Week three weeks in a row and over his last 10 games has thrown 20 TDs and only 2 INTs, and is the #2 favorite with most betting sites for NFL Rookie of the Year.
Injury Report
Browns
Juan Thornhill - S - Questionable (Calf)
Geoff Swain - TE - Questionable (Concussion)
Cedrick Tillman - WR - Questionable (Concussion)
Broncos
Delarrin Turner-Yell - S - Out/IR (Knee)
Riley Moss - CB - Questionable (Knee)
Fantasy Advice
With the possibility of Cedrick Tillman missing this game, look tot Elijah Moore , David Njoku, and (especially) former Bronco Jerry Jeudy to pick up the slack if he's unable to go. That trio are each averaging 8 targets a game since Deshaun Watson's season ended and Jamieis Winston took over, careful though, Jeudy is likely to be shadowed by Patrick Surtain II.
If you're super desperate for a flex play, WR Devaughn Vele could be your savior. The rookie has slowly been working his way up to WR2 and finally broke out in Week 12 against the Raiders for a career-high 80 yards on 6 receptions (9 targets). If you have Denver's defense (and special teams TDs count) Marvin Mims might give you a boost. Mims has 77 return yards over expectation this season and the Browns have allowed 116 yards over expectation.
Prediction
Broncos 27-23
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