Three Key Broncos Stats As They Welcome Browns To Mile High

Something's got to give when the Broncos and Browns collide this weekend. Denver has won four straight after a putrid start to the season and finds itself just outside the AFC playoff picture with a chance to jump into it with a win and a few breaks in other games around the conference. Cleveland has sole possession of the fifth seed in the AFC and wants to hold onto that top wild card spot with a fourth straight win.

The Browns will once again start rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center and his continued growth will be key to their success in Week 12 and beyond. On the flip side, Denver has had a front row seat to a respectable season from veteran QB Russell Wilson, who is completing a career high 69-percent of his passes for 2,065 yards, 19 TDs and four interceptions. That said he hasn't faced a defense quite like Cleveland's.

If the resilient Browns are going to continue to defy the odds and injury bug that's purged their team, here are some key Broncos stats that could decide the game.

1) Tis' The Season of Taking

Much like the match-up with Pittsburgh last week, the Browns are going to have to protect the football. Denver has proven to be an opportunistic defense in their own right, as they rank second in total takeaways in the NFL with 19. Of that 19, they're nine fumble recoveries rank first in the league. It's another week where Cleveland has to be careful not to give their opponent extra possessions, which may pave the way for a similar offensive game plan from head coach Kevin Stefanski.

2) Settling For 3

One reason the Broncos find themselves on a four-game win streak is that they've been very good about keeping teams out of the end zone when they get inside the 20. On the season, Denver has allowed opponents to score red zone touchdowns on over 50-percent of their possessions. But over the last three games, that number dips to about 44-percent, which ranks 10th overall over that span. The defense has been a catalyst for this current win streak and keeping teams out of the end zone when they get to the red has been one reason why.

3) All He Does Is Score

During this four game win streak, Wilson's top target Courtland Sutton has been a scoring machine, with a touchdown reception in each and every game during this run. It's no surprise that he's scored in all five of the Broncos wins this season as well, while also finding the end zone in three additional games this season. Sutton is second to Tyreek Hill for receiving TDs on the season and if Cleveland wants to win this game they'll need to find a way to limit his production. Without star CB Denzel Ward that may be harder this week, but the Browns have plenty of trust in Martin Emerson Jr. and even Mike Ford to hold down the fort without Ward.