Broncos vs. Browns: Week 12 Bold Predictions & Picks
The Denver Broncos have defied the prognosticators and oddsmakers to find themselves with a 5-5 record entering Week 12. It took Herculean wins over three consecutive quality opponents, but the Broncos found a way, made a way.
Some might call it miraculous. Others, perhaps, might say it's been magical.
We would call it Mile High Magical. And the Broncos will need to continue conjuring that football sorcery in order to climb into the ranks of the plus-.500 and defeat the 7-3 Cleveland Browns.
How will it shake out for the Broncos? Let's go around the Mile High Huddle table to see how our staff envisions this one unfolding.
James Campbell (@JamesC_MHH) 4-6: The improving Broncos have found their groove and are coming into their own as the calendar approaches December. The Browns have a ferocious front seven that will frustrate the Broncos' offense and a powerful running game to hurt the defense. However, the Browns' incompetence in managing their QB situation comes home to roost, with the decision to start fifth-round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson over veteran P.J. Walker allowing the Broncos to get timely plays on defense, keeping it close. Walker comes in to get the winning drive, though, and breaks Broncos Country's heart.
Pick: Browns 17, Broncos 12
Keith Cummings (@KeithC_NFL) 5-5: Here come the Broncos on a four-game winning streak. The challenges in the NFL come thick and fast, so the Browns' defense will provide a stern challenge. Facing up to the bullies is perhaps quarterback Russell Wilson's greatest strength, so bookmark another gutsy improv from a genuine NFL Comeback Player of the Year contender in a stunning Broncos win.
Pick: Broncos 27, Browns 21
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH) 5-5: If there were ever a game to bet the under, this would be it. Both teams have been dominant on defense and have struggled to put up points on offense. The Broncos will force a couple of big turnovers once again, but they win this one on a fourth-quarter touchdown run by Javonte Williams.
Pick: Broncos 13, Browns 9
Mike Evans (@MHHEvans) 5-5: In what promises to be a clash of contrasting styles, the 5-5 Broncos, led by a seemingly rejuvenated Wilson, face a tough test against the 7-3 Browns' formidable defense. Sean Payton will lean on a quick-passing game to neutralize the Browns' pass rush, keeping Wilson upright and the chains moving. Meanwhile, expect the Broncos' previously underwhelming run defense to step up, pushing the Browns into risky, turnover-prone third-and-long situations.
Pick: Broncos 21, Browns 13
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL) 6-4: The Broncos can’t stop the run, and the Browns are one of the best in the NFL at running the ball. It's not a recipe for a Broncos victory.
Pick: Browns 24, Broncos 13
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) 6-4: This is a tough one to pick because as much as I still have a positive gut feeling about the Broncos, the rational part of my brain recognizes that Cleveland's strengths matchup up uncannily with Denver's biggest weaknesses. However, the wild card here is the Broncos' predatory defense, which may struggle to stop the run, but is riding a historic takeaway wave, and that makes all the difference vs. a rookie quarterback in 'DTR.' The Browns put up a lot of field goals, but the Broncos score just enough touchdowns to emerge victorious, with the help of some timely takeaways. Considering the conference implications here for a playoff-hopeful Broncos squad, Payton will have his squad ready for an epic slugfest.
Pick: Broncos 19, Browns 12
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) 4-6: You Can't expect the Broncos to win every game, but I'm a big believer in momentum, which alone may propel them past a rookie quarterback — in front of a raucous Mile High crowd, witnessing a November game with playoff implications for the first time in years. Denver has one objective and one objective only: contain Myles Garrett. Crossing my fingers that I don't eat these words.
Pick: Broncos 17, Browns 16
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) 5-5: The Broncos' turnover luck has to come to an end at some point, right? RIGHT? Denver's takeaway rate of late is a credit to the defense, but the rate is not sustainable. 12 takeaways in three games are the most since 1997; this is not a formula that is repeatable. Denver will simply need the defense to be more consistent and the offense to take better advantage of good field position. Cleveland's defense is playing at historic levels sporting the second-best success rate of any unit since 2000. Cleveland's offense, though, is rather anemic. It will be a rock fight on Sunday, something the Broncos have shown they aren't afraid to play in this season. Scoring early will be key to success allowing Denver to protect itself against Garrett and force Cleveland's offense to throw the ball at a higher rate.
Pick: Broncos 17, Browns 16
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) 4-6: It's easy to think the Broncos will have their way with an inexperienced QB but the Browns have the best defense in the NFL. The Broncos' offense has often struggled to finish drives, and I expect that to be the difference here. The defense will do what it can, but if the offense can't capitalize, it's all for naught.
Pick: Browns 17, Broncos 13
Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) 5-5: Cleveland’s top-notch run defense means that Payton and Wilson will need to operate an effective passing attack early and often. Denver produces a score or takeaway on special teams to supplement the offense and its woes, which could see Garrett feast on Sunday. DTR remains touchdown-less in Denver. The Mile High Magic and the crowd win this one.
Pick: Broncos 24, Browns 17
Lance Sanderson (@SandersonMHH) 5-5: Denver is desperately going to need the draw and screen game to get going against this vaunted Browns pass rush. Otherwise, it's going to be a long day offensively. Garrett is the best pass rusher on the planet, and the Browns' secondary is no slouch behind him. However, with the Browns' non-existent passing offense, Denver can key in on fixing its run defense this week and keep the score relatively low. Russ finds another late touchdown drive to push the winning streak to five straight games.
Pick: Broncos 16, Cleveland 12.
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel) 4-6: This has the makings of a low-scoring defensive match. Both teams have great defenses with offenses that have found a way. The biggest questions are whether the Broncos' defense can slow the Browns' rushing attack and, conversely, whether Denver's offense can get it done against the toughest defense it'll have faced up until this point. The Broncos find a way to win their fifth straight.
Pick: Broncos 16, Browns 10
Dylan Von Arx (@arx_d) 5-5: The Broncos' defense has been amazing the past four games but stopping the run has only worked when the opponent goes away from it. The Broncos are bound to lose another game the way they're playing on offense, and Sunday is that day.
Pick: Browns 21, Broncos 13
Ron White (@RonWhiteNFL) 5-5: Sunday’s matchup will be a big challenge for the Broncos. The Browns' defense is the best in the NFL. Their front and secondary can attack relentlessly. The Broncos' offense will find a way to move the ball via screens and the quick pass game, while the defense will step up to stop the run and come away with timely turnovers off DTR. The Broncos win by a very slim margin.
Pick: Broncos 17, Browns 14
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