Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled at times and was on his way to a remarkable comeback, with the Browns trailing 17-12. Sadly, a roughing-the-passer penalty in the third quarter knocked DTR out of the game with a concussion.
Two plays later, the Browns turned the ball over on a bizarre reverse pitch play from Elijah Moore to Pierre Strong, causing a fumble that Denver recovered. The Broncos scored four plays later, putting away the game.
There will be a lot of questions about the Kevin Stefanski play calling as he passed 42 times compared to only 24 run plays. And this was against a Denver defense that had difficulty stopping the run.
Along with DTR, Myles Garrett had his arm in a sling after the game after hearing a pop during the game, and Amari Cooper suffered an injury to his ribs, but the x-rays did come out negative.
The Browns left Denver with some injuries and some strange play-calling. Cleveland just could not match Denver’s intensity.
Russell Wilson contributed to two touchdowns, and Denver’s defense secured three additional takeaways and a safety in their 29-12 triumph over the injury-plagued Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
With their fifth consecutive win, the Broncos (6-5) achieved a winning record for the first time under coach Sean Payton.
The Browns (7-4) missed an opportunity to match their best start since 1999 and suffered multiple injuries, including rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (head) in his inaugural road start. Despite a late flag for a hit that seemed legal, delivered by edge rusher Baron Browning just as he released the ball, the Browns saw their starting quarterback leave the game.
Facing P.J. Walker as the backup, the Broncos sacked him four times, including once in the end zone for a safety.
Already without star cornerback Denzel Ward, inactive due to a shoulder injury, the Browns endured additional blows as Myles Garrett (hand/wrist), Amari Cooper (rib), and Jordan Elliott (ankle) left the field with injuries.
While the Browns boast a historically strong defense, Sunday’s spotlight was on Denver’s resurgent defense, amassing an impressive 15 takeaways in the last four games – their best such streak since 1989.
In the fourth quarter, Wilson connected with tight end Adam Trautman for an 8-yard touchdown pass after defensive tackle D.J. Jones recovered a fumbled reverse at the Cleveland 20-yard line, extending the Broncos’ lead to 24-12.
Denver’s defense continued to shine with Mike Purcell and Alex Singleton recovering fumbles, and the game concluded with Zach Allen tackling Walker in the end zone with 2:17 remaining.
Singleton capitalized on a strip sack by P.J. Locke, filling in for suspended safety Kareem Jackson, recovering a loose ball at midfield. This set the stage for a 34-yard field goal from Wil Lutz, bringing the score to 27-12.
Browning’s hit on Thompson-Robinson seemed clean, with no launching or helmet-to-helmet contact. Despite this, a late flag for roughing the passer extended a drive for the Browns, disrupting their momentum.
After Thompson-Robinson’s first career TD pass to tight end Harrison Bryant in the third quarter, the Browns’ attempt to tie the game with a 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving them trailing 14-12.
The game unraveled for the Browns thereafter, with the Broncos, on their best streak since 2015, securing two rushing touchdowns by halftime. Samage Perine’s 3-yard run and Wilson’s 2-yard keeper established a 14-0 lead.
Cleveland showed signs of life with Jerome Ford’s impressive runs and kicker Dustin Hopkins’ successful attempts, reducing the halftime deficit to 14-6. However, the Broncos’ defense held firm, preventing them from taking their first double-digit halftime lead in the 26 games Wilson has quarterbacked.
At the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. They will spend the week in Los Angeles, practicing at UCLA, where Thompson-Robinson played in college.
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