Offense: Nearing 25 points
The Broncos’ 24 points tied their season high, and there seemed to be a cohesive pulse between the play-calling and the execution. Coordinator Rich Scangarello called a terrific game, implementing the pistol formation to mix up the run game, getting tight end Noah Fant more involved, calling a 50-50 shot to receiver (touchdown) and devising a plan that suited new quarterback Brandon Allen. There were still some lulls, but at least the Broncos popped some plays (five plays of at least 25 yards).
Defense: Red-zone excellence
The Browns were 0 of 2 on fourth down. The Browns were 1 of 5 in the red zone. And the Browns scored only one touchdown. The Broncos gave up 351 yards and had at least five missed tackles on Cleveland’s only touchdown drive. But leading by 12 points entering the fourth quarter, they didn’t give the game away. In the second half, the Browns’ four possessions ended in one punt, one touchdown and two failed fourth downs. On Cleveland’s second-to-last play, safety pursued unblocked off the edge to stop Nick Chubb for a three-yard loss.
Special teams: Two big returns
Diontae Spencer had a 20-yard punt return in his only opportunity and fill-in kick returner had a 32-yard gain. The key for the Broncos was not allowing any long returns (long of 14 on punt coverage and long of 31 on kick coverage). Rookie Juwann Winfree needs to show better awareness as a gunner — he was penalized for running out of bounds without assistance. The defense made a fourth-down stop after punter Colby Wadman’s 33-yard attempt allowed the Browns to start at their 48-yard line.
Coaching: Minor tweaks help
Coach Vic Fangio wasn’t going to dish too much on the “tweaks” that the Broncos implemented against the Broncos. But they worked. A few on offense included using the “pistol” formation to give the run play a right-left option and also a rushing play by Courtland Sutton. On defense, the Broncos’ red zone plan was on-point — the Browns scored 17 points from their five trips to the red zone. And it always makes sense to have cornerback Chris Harris travel with a No. 1 receiver like Odell Beckham, Jr.
Overall: 3-6 better than 2-7
Duh, right? At least the Broncos won’t have to enter their bye week knowing they are 2-7 for the first time since 1982 (their final record in the strike year) and 1-4 at home for the first time since 1967. In the big picture, this win may only mean a drop in draft position. But at least they can get a lead and hold the lead, two things that eluded them throughout the season’s first half. The final seven games will be about figuring out which young players should play larger roles in 2020 and which veterans merit a return invitation next year.
