Broncos vs. Browns: Full Cleveland Game Preview
Peyton Manning has never lost to the Cleveland Browns, but the 2015 version of him looks increasingly vulnerable despite his thus-far unbeaten resume.
Yes, Manning’s arm looks shot. He’s a 39-year-old working against Father Time, and he’s still trying to adapt to first-year head coach Gary Kubiak’s ideal run-first offense. In theory, that’s smart football. With Manning on the downswing, minimizing his exposure to big hits just makes sense.
But what hasn’t worked is the team’s patchwork offensive line. Manning has been getting assaulted, and his line can’t move anyone to open up holes for Ronnie Hillman or C.J. Anderson. If you thought the Browns’ minuscule 3.7 yards per carry were something to complain about, Denver is averaging the second-to-worst average with 3.3 yards per tote.
The whole “Manning the game manager” idea seems to be failing. His 77.3 quarterback rating is 30th in the league, and his 51.7 ESPN Total QBR is 22nd. Those aren’t typos. Think about that for a second.
Like the Browns' offense stealing the show from their defense so far, Peyton’s defense has carried him through the first five weeks. Without Chris Harris Jr.’s go-ahead pick-six last week, it’s tough to see how Denver escapes the O.co Coliseum still undefeated.
And its pass rush has been the catalyst. Now healthy, Von Miller has led the team’s defensive resurgence. Its 22 sacks—15 over the last three games—are best in the NFL. Although Cleveland appears to field a top pass-protecting offensive line, quarterback Josh McCown has taken 13 sacks over the Browns' last three games.
Oh, yeah, there’s also the fact Manning has struggled in six career starts against the Browns for whatever reason. His 80.9 passer rating against Cleveland is his lowest against any NFL opponent, and he has thrown just five touchdowns to seven interceptions against them.
Viewing Info
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
Date: Sunday, October 18
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 5 Results and Recap
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Cincinnati distanced itself with a win over the Seattle Seahawks after trailing 24-7 in the fourth quarter. Mike Nugent’s 42-yard field gave the Bengals a 27-24 overtime win and sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin’s gutsy call earned the Steelers a dramatic, last-second victory in San Diego. Running back Le’Veon Bell took the direct snap, and he barely sneaked into the end zone behind a big pull block from guard David DeCastro. The Steelers maintained pace and remain in second place in the division.
McCown’s career- and record-setting performance led the Browns to a 33-30 overtime win in Baltimore. He became the first Browns quarterback in franchise history to throw for over 300 yards in three consecutive games and also set the team’s single-game passing record with 457 yards through the air. He also became the first signal-caller in NFL history to throw for more than 450 yards with two touchdowns while running for another score without throwing an interception in a single game.
Rookie kicker Travis Coons nailed all four of his field-goal attempts, including a 32-yarder in overtime, to give the Browns a 33-30 Week 5 win. Cleveland’s 2-3 record is third-best in the division, while Baltimore stays in the basement, now at 1-4.
While still a long shot, the Browns aren’t out of contention for the division crown. Cleveland still has five games left against divisional opponents and 11 games left overall. The Bengals have looked better than ever and could run away with that honor in the coming weeks, though.
AFC North Division Standings
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | Streak |
| Bengals | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 148 | 101 | W5 |
| Steelers | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 120 | 95 | W1 |
| Browns | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 118 | 132 | W1 |
| Ravens | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 123 | 137 | L1 |
News and Notes
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Some Broncos Fans Want Team to Bench Peyton Manning
Manning’s struggles were hit on earlier, but his six touchdowns and seven interceptions have led the Broncos to the 28th-ranked “total offense” in the league.
Kubiak didn’t mince words when asked by reporters Tuesday.
“No, Peyton is doing just fine,” the coach said, per Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post.
Despite the outpouring of media columns asking the same question Broncos fans have locked in on, Kiszla is on board with Kubiak’s resistance because the Broncos knew what they were in store for when bringing the aging QB back for another season:
"Front-office executive John Elway knew as well as I did that Manning wasn't Manning any longer at the end of last season, but instead of showing his veteran quarterback the door, Elway slashed Manning's pay. To bench Manning now, even for an occasional series, would invite division within the locker room.
"
It might be cliche, but Manning is a coach on the field and a true field general, and having him in the huddle gives every play a better chance of success. His deep ball might not be the same because his arm is gone, but if Manning can read the Browns defense like Philip Rivers did two weeks ago, he'll even the playing field.
T.J. Ward Hopes for "Open Arms" in Return to Cleveland
T.J. Ward has maintained that new Browns management in 2014 didn’t make the effort to re-sign him before he left to sign with the Denver Broncos that offseason. He echoed those comments in a conference call on Oct. 14, responding to a question asking if the Browns even offered him a deal.
“It wasn’t brought to me if I did, so that means it wasn’t worth even bringing up.”
He also said he wanted to come back to Cleveland, despite the team seeming disinterested in reuniting.
“Yeah, I told you guys that before I wanted to come back, but you know how free agency works.”
But the news here is Ward said he is hoping for a warm reception, likely from both players and fans, when he returns to Cleveland.
“I don’t really know what to expect, but I hope it’s a little bit of open arms, but I know I’m going to get some boos when I start making plays.”
There were mixed feelings about Ward on his Cleveland exit. His injury history and consistency issues, especially in pass defense, made some of us lukewarm to re-signing him at a hefty price tag. Donte Whitner has filled in nicely at times but brings some of the same shortcomings Ward did.
We’ll see what kind of reception he gets Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Latest Injury News
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| Player | Position | Injury |
| Desmond Bryant | DL | Shoulder |
| Karlos Dansby | LB | Ankle |
| Tashaun Gipson | DB | Ankle |
| Joe Haden | DB | Finger/Concussion |
| Johnny Manziel | QB | Right Elbow |
| Craig Robertson | LB | Ankle |
| Mitchell Schwartz | OL | Thumb |
| Scott Solomon (IR) | LB | Knee |
| Robert Turbin | RB | Ankle |
| Josh McCown | QB | Ankle |
| Shaun Draughn | RB | Back |
| Duke Johnson | RB | Ankle |
| Isaiah Crowell | RB | Toe |
| Brian Hartline | WR | Thigh |
All injury information courtesy of Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.
Four Browns defensive starters did not practice on Wednesday: Joe Haden (concussion), Craig Robertson (ankle), Scott Solomon (knee) and Tashaun Gipson (ankle).
Of the group, coach Mike Pettine said Haden is still in the NFL concussion protocol and that it’s too soon to tell if Gipson will be able to play. Even if Haden plays, his body has taken a beating, and it’s showing in his poor play on the field. It’s probably best to let him work his way back slowly from the concussion he suffered in Week 5.
Solomon was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday evening. The team announced the move to end his season while signing defensive back Don Jones via waivers from New Orleans.
If Haden, Robertson and Gipson fail to clock any practice time in the coming days, especially on Friday, it’s unlikely they’ll be available for the Browns in Week 6 against the Broncos.
Desmond Bryant, Isaiah Crowell, Karlos Dansby, Shaun Draughn, McCown and Robert Turbin were all limited practice participants on Wednesday and should be monitored throughout the week. Crowell and McCown are new additions to the limited group. McCown didn’t appear to be favoring his sore left ankle during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, per Cabot.
Bryant and Dansby both played last week, so they should be able to go again after taking it easy in practice this week. Turbin could see his first action of the season or at least an active designation if he’s able to get some quality work in before Sunday.
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Key Matchups
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Broncos Run Game vs. Browns Front Seven
Facing a San Diego Chargers offensive line without three of its starters, the Browns held Danny Woodhead and Melvin Gordon to only 91 yards on the ground in Week 4. Every other game this season, they have been run all over, giving up an NFL-worst 149.4 yards per game.
This week could be different, but nothing is certain with this group. Denver is averaging just 71.6 yards on the ground and, excluding one 72-yard outburst by Hillman, has been void of big plays when running the football. Cleveland, on the other hand, has given up seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards and three that have picked up 40-plus yards.
Denver is dying to get its running game going, and everyone knows it is targeting this week to establish itself better in that area. It’s up to the Browns coaches to establish the game plan and for the players to execute and play fundamentally sound football. That sounds easy, but it really is that simple. If they continue to allow big chunk or explosive plays, they’ll make the Broncos look much better than they have so far this season.
Of course, they have cured every opponent’s rushing woes to this point, so it wouldn’t surprise anyone.
Browns Offensive Line vs. Broncos Pass Rush
The Browns have allowed 13 sacks in the last three games, while the Broncos have exploded for 15. The Broncos could be without veteran DeMarcus Ware—responsible for 4.5 of those—because of a back injury he suffered against the Oakland Raiders last week. Even if he sits, Denver has been abusive to offensive lines this season. Its impressive depth in that area includes Miller, Shaquil Barrett and rookie Shane Ray. Even nose tackle Sylvester Williams has spent time harassing opposing quarterbacks.
And even if Ware is limited or misses the game, it’s going to be the biggest test the Browns face all season from a pressure standpoint, and they have to realize that. Continuing to move the pocket or design quick-release passing plays to crossing receivers, running backs out of the backfield and dumps to tight end Gary Barnidge—97 yards after the catch this season—will be vital to keeping McCown clean, and it will take pressure off him and their offensive line.
Joe Thomas and his crew have done a nice job despite the sack numbers in recent weeks, but there have been lapses by running backs and tight ends in pass protection. If the group can bring it all together this week, McCown and the Browns offense may be able to continue their success against the formidable Broncos defense.
X-Factors
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Browns X-Factors of the Week: Taylor Gabriel, Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjamin
It wasn’t possible to pick one X-factor of the group from the list of undersized Browns wide receivers (all three are 5'10" or shorter). The Broncos boast Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby and Chris Harris Jr. at cornerback, and that’s intimidating for any team, but it’ll be hard for that group to game-plan and execute against this trio of fast and quick wideouts.
Tyler Gabriel (20), Andrew Hawkins (28) and Travis Benjamin (38) are all over 20 targets and have double-digit catches each through five games. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo likes McCown to spread the ball around, and these three have been the most frequently used targets other than Duke Johnson and Barnidge. Brian Hartline has missed time and has 19 targets, too.
Getting any of them the ball will mean they’ll have to be crisp and fast out of their breaks, because coverage will be tight, and McCown’s time will be limited in the pocket if Denver’s pass rush is effective.
Rookie Minnesota Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs had a decent showing in his NFL debut against the highly touted Broncos defensive backs. He snagged six receptions for 87 yards, beating Talib multiple teams in that Week 4 contest.
All three Browns receivers have the abilities and experience to do what Diggs accomplished. Let's see if one or two of them can make the necessary plays to help keep the Browns passing offense on track.
Prediction: Broncos 21, Browns 19
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If Rivers could easily diagnose what the Browns were doing defensively, Manning is going to audible his way to a bounce-back performance after failing to throw a touchdown pass in Oakland last week.
Manning has been excellent against Rex Ryan in the past, going 6-2, including a 2009 AFC Divisional Round playoff win under his belt. Pettine was Ryan’s defensive coordinator in that one. One of those two wins by Ryan occurred a few weeks before that playoff loss, and Manning only played one series in that one because his 14-0 Indianapolis Colts already had playoff seeding secured.
It’s not impossible, though, because these two teams match up pretty well, that the Browns find a way to keep things close until the end. The Broncos’ inability to run the ball or create big splash plays on the ground coupled with Manning’s deteriorating arm strength allows the Browns to have that chance.
But Manning and his team’s superior defense just look like too much for the improved Browns. His ability to survey the field pre- and post-snap, along with his defense’s relentless pressure, should be enough to escape Cleveland with a 6-0 record heading into their Week 7 bye.
Final Prediction: Broncos 21, Browns 19
All stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise noted, all injury updates and quotes acquired firsthand.
Mike Hoag (@MikeHoagJr) covers the Cleveland Browns for Bleacher Report and is the managing editor of Browns Beat.
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