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Mile High Roundtable: Broncos vs. Browns | Week 9 | Predictions & Picks
Khalid Alshami (@KhalidHAlshami) 6-2: It's almost unimaginable to think that Joe Flacco has had a better season than any other QB in the NFL, but that happens to be the case when it comes to my man crush, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has had a bumpy season and is a big part of the Browns disappointing start along with new HC Freddie Kitchens. For Denver, Brandon Allen gets the nod, a QB Chris Harris, Jr. doesn't want to judge based off scout team (yikes). With Flacco on injured reserve, you'd think Denver wouldn't have played so cagey regarding second-round pick Drew Lock. Instead, valuable practice time went on without Lock. In this game, I don't expect much out of the offense save for a couple plays out of Phillip Lindsay and Courtland Sutton and perhaps an Allen scramble. The Broncos defense will have to carry the load and will likely give Mayfield and company fits, but this team has proven that they actively know how to lose better than they do to win. I expect them to figure out a way to lose this one too as Cleveland takes their revenge on John Elway in back-to-back years.
Pick: Browns 16, Broncos 14
Josh Carney (@JCarney_Sports) 5-3: Offense might be a major issue for both teams in a Week 9 matchup in the Mile High City that has lost its shine due to the disappointing play from both the Browns and Broncos. I give the edge in this one to the Browns and their defense, simply because of the matchup in the trenches. Cleveland’s front four is far superior to Denver’s O-line. Add in the fact that Allen makes his first NFL start this week, and it could be a disastrous week for Denver’s O-line.
Bold Prediction: Myles Garrett records four sacks in this one.
Pick: Browns 20, Broncos 6
Keith Cummings (@KeithC_NFL) 1-0: Both teams enter the matchup under pressure and of course, the Broncos will start the completely untested Allen. With Harris, Jr. still in the lineup after the trade deadline passed, I like his chances on Odell Beckham, Jr. Run the ball all day long and if the Broncos win the turnover battle, they will have a big chance at home.
Pick: Broncos 21, Browns 17
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH) 3-5: Before the season started, the Browns were the talk of the NFL with Mayfield full of personality and coming off a promising rookie year. Despite the addition of OBJ to the wide receiver corps, things have obviously not gone the way the Browns were hoping this season, nor has it for the Broncos, which has left both teams with a lot of question marks at the midway point of the season. This game will be closer than some are suggesting as both teams have struggled to score consistently this season. Cleveland is only 25th in points per game. I would highly recommend taking the under if you are the betting type as this could be a battle of field position and turnovers as both teams could lean heavily on the run games. Unfortunately, I do see Allen making a crucial mistake in this one, leading to an easy score for the Browns and helping secure a victory over the Broncos. Lindsay does have a big run in this one, but it is not enough to overcome the shortcomings of the offense.
Pick: Browns 20, Broncos 13
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL) 5-3: This game could be a comedy of errors. The Browns give the ball away like candy on Halloween and are riddled with mistakes. The Broncos keep shooting themselves in the foot with mental mistakes and can’t seem to come through when needed most. If the Broncos can take the ball away multiple times they can win this game, but so far this season that has not been their strong suit. Browns are desperate after some very lofty expectations and it is hard to believe that the Broncos can win this game with a QB who has zero regular-season snaps. Call me crazy, I have a feeling the Broncos somehow manage to pull off a surprise win and score more than 24 points.
Pick: Broncos 27, Browns 17
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) 2-6: Like the Broncos' season, my hopes of catching up to Alshami and taking the Mile High Roundtable lead are nil. I'll just have to keep calling these games like I see them. And the way I see this one unfolding, surprisingly perhaps, is very good for Brandon Allen. The first-time starter will be under constant duress but with something to prove in what could be a finite opportunity, Allen finds a way to strike while the iron's hot. Allen will move this Broncos offense forward, further calling into question the failed Flacco experiment and absolving OC Rich Scangarello of the sins the former starting QB laid on his head following Week 8's collapse. Von Miller gets some sacks in bunches and the Broncos hand Kitchens his sixth loss of the year.
Admission: Here's the main reason I see this being a Broncos win. Just when you think that nothing could give this front office any further excuse to delay getting Lock on the field, the spot-starter will come in and create a new QB controversy, thus allowing Elway to kick the can down the road. Allen will do just enough and a win's a win. Circle Week 16 as Lock's debut game.
Pick: Broncos 23, Browns 16
Trevor Judge (@TrevorJudge) 3-5: Sitting at 2-5, the Browns are in desperate need of a win this week. If they were to lose to a Broncos team that is currently ranked 28th in the league in points per game (with their starting QB playing), that could mean the end of the line for Kitchens. Allen may not be bad. He will certainly be more mobile than Flacco. I could actually see Allen putting up a TD or two. But at the end of the day, I can’t go against logic here and think he leads the Broncos to a win Sunday. I do, however, think his mobility could help him enough to put up a few scoring drives behind a poor O-line.
Pick: Browns 27, Broncos 17
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) 3-5: Mayfield's media meltdown can work one of two ways: Either it will propel underachieving Cleveland to a victory in Denver or it will blow up in their faces. There's really no in-between for a coin-flip Broncos game in which they're a home underdog. The team's new starting quarterback could provide a spark, at least within the fanbase, but his first NFL start is unlikely to result in the offensive explosion so many are seeking. This will be another hard-fought contest, but, as usual, Denver's offense — or lack thereof — stands between them and a victory.
Pick: Browns 17, Broncos 13
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) 4-4: Enter the Brandon Allen era. That’s his name, right? The time of ‘cool Joe’ under center is likely already over as a neck injury sends him to IR. This Broncos team has a solid defense to be sure, but we are trending towards the worst Broncos offense ever considering league averages.The offense still has some bright young pieces and, paired with a solid defense, can do some things... but goodness the offense is hard to watch. Maybe Allen is the next Tom Brady? Maybe I will win the lottery. It’s better to hope but not depend on that. In the end, the not well-coached assembly of talent that is the Browns beat the Hindenburg that is the 2019 Broncos.
Pick: Browns 27, Broncos 13
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) 4-4: The Browns offense has more talent than the Broncos but playcalling has been a major issue. Some people think this goes to Kitchens, despite running a good offense last year, isn’t ready to be the head coach. But the Browns have the talent to move the football and the defense will need to be disciplined, particularly when it comes to run defense, because the Browns run the football very well. Meanwhile, Denver will see Allen start at QB. Cleveland does have good defensive playmakers but, as a whole, the unit is league average. Allen’s presence under center should allow the Broncos to do more play-action and rollouts. The question will be how Allen’s rapport will be with Sutton and if he can do enough to open up the run game. Cleveland is weaker against the run than the pass, but the Broncos can’t take for granted that they’ll be able to run the football at will. This game comes down to play calling. The Broncos coaching staff needs to make the right decisions, because that will be crucial to the outcome. With questions about whether Kitchens is a worthy head coach, the Broncos coaches need to show they are up to the task. I know there will be doubts about the Broncos QB play, but I’m going to take a chance here. I thought the Browns game was a winnable game after the 0-4 start and, with the Broncos showing they could beat reeling teams like the Titans and Chargers with great defense and just enough on offense, I think it holds true here against the reeling Browns.
Pick: Broncos 20, Browns 13
Lance Sanderson (@SandersonMHH) 5-3: This game is going to show a major card in the hand of Scangarello. Now that he isn't handcuffed by Flacco's inability to scramble, escape pressure, and effectively run bootleg play-action passing plays, I'm looking to see the offense open up a little bit. Allen is a much more mobile athlete than Flacco, so expect to see some heavy moving pockets, read-option looks, and scrambling that we haven't seen to date. However, if the play-calling doesn't match the change at the QB position, that's a true indictment on Scangarello's ability as a play-caller in this league. Regardless, I think the Broncos squeak a victory away from the Browns. Mayfield is not playing good football right now, and the Broncos defense is playing insanely good against the pass. Give me Denver behind a pair of picks from the secondary.
Pick: Broncos 23, Browns 13
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel) 3-5: The Broncos defense has been playing some good football but their offense, not so much. It is a similar situation for the Browns. It's going to come down to which defense can make more plays against struggling offenses. While I think the QB change may have a little spark, Allen isn't going to be some savior. There is a reason he's been a second- and third-stringer for his career. His play in the preseason was just okay and it comes against second-, third- and fourth-string defenses. His mobility will help but not much. I'm not sure Scangarello can keep from being too cute, calling bad plays or be aggressive. With the weakness at tackle for the Broncos, I think the Browns force more mistakes and walk away with this one in a lowish scoring bout.
Pick: Browns 20, Broncos 13
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