Broncos (3-3) at Browns (3-3)
When: 6:20 p.m. MT, Thursday.
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium
Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/FOX, NFL Network
Weather: 67 degrees with a 90% chance of rain.
Broncos-Browns series: Broncos are 21-6 in 27 regular-season games dating back to 1970; Broncos won 24-19 in last meeting, on Nov. 3, 2019, in Denver.
Key matchup
Case Keenum vs. Broncos secondary
After being taken down a few pegs by Lamar Jackson, Ben Roethlisberger and Derek Carr, the Broncos secondary cannot afford to falter against Browns backup Case Keenum.
“We want (the defense) to do better for the team on the backend,” Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. “Thatap the emphasis for this week.”
The good news for Denver as it attempts to get the secondary back on track is that the Browns’ top-ranked rushing attack will be limited without the services of the injured Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The Browns’ wideouts aren’t at full strength, either.
Five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry may need some re-acclimation time after missing the past four games with a knee injury, while the Browns’ other top vertical threat, Odell Beckham, is dealing with a shoulder injury and doesn’t have a TD this season.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons said his unit is ready to turn its fortunes around at FirstEnergy Stadium. While the Broncos have been ravaged by injuries at other positions such as inside linebacker, the secondary’s health remains relatively intact. Ronald Darby returned from injured reserve last week, coming off a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since Week 1.
So there are no excuses for the secondary to not have a bounce-back performance. Denver’s given up 20 passing plays of at least 16 yards, and 10 of at least 30 yards, over the past three losses.
“A lot of (the recent mistakes) are sometimes (because of) techniques, sometimes communication, and just fundamentals — being where you’re supposed to be, and not doing too much by helping out in areas that didn’t necessarily need help at the time,” Simmons said.
“I’ve been saying that the last three weeks. ‘Yeah, (coverage mistakes are) fixable, itap fixable, itap fixable,’ and the same things keep popping up on tape. At a certain point in time, you’ve got to fix it. I think thatap the most frustrating part, but thatap my job. I’m going to fix it.”
Who has the edge?
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater has been nursing foot and quadriceps injuries and is coming off a four-turnover game, but Vic Fangio believes he’ll play Thursday. Meanwhile, backup Case Keenum (6-10 as Broncos QB in 2018) is starting over Baker Mayfield (torn left shoulder labrum). Edge: Even
Running back
Cleveland’s starting running back tandem is sidelined, as both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are out with calf injuries. The Broncos running game has been slow to get going this year, although Javonte Williams is capable of game-changing bursts. Edge: Broncos
Receiver/tight end
Wideouts Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, along with tight end Noah Fant, will continue to be Bridgewater’s primary targets with Jerry Jeudy likely unavailable. The Browns’ Jarvis Landry just returned from IR, and Odell Beckham Jr. is dealing with a shoulder injury. Edge: Even
Offensive line
The Broncos’ O-line is coming off a rough performance, having allowed five sacks and 17 quarterback hits in the loss to Las Vegas last week. Cleveland’s banged-up starting tackles, Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr., have injuries and so does center JC Tretter. Edge: Even
Defensive line
Shelby Harris and Dre’Mont Jones need to generate more pass rush, although nose tackle Mike Purcell has been decent in run-stuffing. Cleveland boasts the game’s X-factor, end Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL with eight sacks and nine tackles for loss. Edge: Browns
Linebacker
Denver is without both inside linebackers the rest of the year with Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell out with pectoral injuries. OLB Von Miller guaranteed a good individual performance. Cleveland rookie and leading tackler Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is on IR. Edge: Even
Secondary
The Broncos’ highly-touted secondary has been toasted three weeks in a row, and needs a bounce-back performance against Keenum & Co. Greg Newsome and Denzel Ward lead the Browns’ cornerback corps, but Cleveland only has two picks this year. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
Brandon McManus has yet to miss a kick (12 of 12 on field goals, 12 of 12 on extra points). The Browns’ Chase McLaughlin has been equally effective (9 of 9, 15 of 15). But beyond McManus, the Broncos special teams are a mistake waiting to happen. Edge: Browns
Tale of the tape
| Category | Broncos | Browns |
| Total offense | 368.3 (13th) | 396.3 (9th) |
| Rush offense | 117.5 (14th) | 168.5 (1st) |
| Pass offense | 250.8 (13th) | 227.8 (26th) |
| Points per game | 21 (T-22nd) | 26 (9th) |
| Total defense | 314.7 (4th) | 307.2 (2nd) |
| Run defense | 85.5 (5th) | 87 (7th) |
| Pass defense | 229.2 (11th) | 220.7 (9th) |
| Points allowed | 18.3 (4th) | 25.2 (22nd) |
* Through Week 6
By the numbers
1-7 — Case Keenum’s record in his last eight starts, which came with Washington in 2019; he is 27-35 in his career.
0 — Career touchdowns for Cleveland’s starting running back Thursday; third-stringer D’Ernest Johnson is making his first career start.
51 — The NFL-best yards for loss accumulated on Myles Garrett’s eight sacks this year.
3 — Tight end Noah Fant’s touchdown receptions this year, which tie his career-high.
10.8 — Diontae Spencer’s average yards per punt return this year, which ranks fifth in the NFL.
Betting/fantasy
Line: Browns -2
Despite the rash of injuries to Cleveland’s starting lineup, including a sidelined Baker Mayfield, the Browns are favored at home and rightfully so. The Broncos have yet to show they can compete with a team that’s not bottom-of-the-barrel. Even with Cleveland’s backup QB in, responding from three straight demoralizing defeats on a short week is a tough ask for the Broncos.
Prop bet: Over/under 42 total points
Bet the under. Thursday Night Football games can tend to turn into shootouts with both defenses preparing on a short week, but this one won’t because of each team’s quarterback situation. The Browns have been forced to play their backup in Keenum while Bridgewater, who limped around the Broncos’ team facility this week, is dealing with a foot injury and his mobility (and effectiveness) will be limited.
Fantasy play: RB Javonte Williams
At some point, the Broncos have to let the rookie loose. Williams’ high this year was 64 yards in Week 2 in Jacksonville, and he’s only had one touchdown, which came in Week 3 against the Jets. He’s been sharing carries with Melvin Gordon, but if offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur feeds the elusive and explosive Williams just a little bit more against the Browns, he’s capable of going off.
Post predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Browns 24, Broncos 20
Case Keenum? The Broncos can’t possibly lose to Case Keenum, right? Oh, yes they could. And it would make peeps in this dusty old cowtown very grumpy.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Browns 24, Broncos 14
I’m done picking the Broncos, who have been revealed as pretenders. The Browns cruise to an easy victory as Case Keenum shreds the overrated Denver secondary and the visiting offense remains mostly stuck in neutral.
Ryan O’Halloran, beat writer: Browns 24, Broncos 17
The Broncos have won their last two Thursday night road games, but they gave no indication in Sunday’s loss to Las Vegas they can change the script on another season circling the drain. Cleveland produces two takeaways that lead to 10 points.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 20, Browns 17
With Case Keenum at QB, Cleveland’s tackle situation in tatters and the Browns missing Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, this one might play right into Von Miller’s hands. And into his promises.
