Broncos vs. Browns: Full Denver Game Preview
In Week 6, the Denver Broncos will travel to Cleveland, bringing with them an undefeated 5-0 record. On the other side of the field will be the Browns, a team that has been competitive this season despite a 2-3 record.
Though the Broncos have yet to lose a game, they've yet to find consistency on the offensive side of the ball. It's only a matter of time before a team makes them pay for that, and the Browns will look to do just that.
Historically, the Browns are a team the Broncos have dominated. Denver leads the all-time series 22-5 and have not lost to the Browns since they returned to the NFL in the 1999 season. In fact, Cleveland hasn't beaten Denver since October 1990.
Many Cleveland fans will never forget losing back-to-back AFC Championship games against the Broncos in the late 1980s, let alone the fact the Browns have lost the last 10 meetings between these two teams.
The last game between the two teams came in December 2012, which was a 34-12 victory for Denver.
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 5 Results and Recap
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It seems the Broncos find a new defensive player to make a game-changing play each week. Against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5, that player was Chris Harris.
As Denver clung to a 9-7 lead with less than seven minutes to play in the game, the Raiders were driving the field to potentially take the lead. Oakland quarterback Derek Carr looked on the drive, but on 3rd-and-5 from the Denver 31-yard line, he threw the ball right into Harris' arms.
Harris raced 74 yards the other way for a touchdown to put Denver on top 16-7, a deficit Oakland was unable to overcome. Denver went on to win the game 16-10.
In doing so, Denver was able to continue a couple of impressive streaks. First, it was the eighth win in a row for the Broncos over the Raiders. On top of that, the Broncos were able to win their 14th straight road game within the AFC West division.
Despite the victory, it was another tough day at the office for the offense. Peyton Manning threw two interceptions, and the team ran for just 43 yards on 18 carries. It will be difficult to continue to win games like that.
News and Notes
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DeMarcus Ware May Miss Two Weeks
One of the negative aspects of Denver's win over Oakland in Week 5 was the fact DeMarcus Ware had to be taken to be carted to the locker room because of a back injury.
Ware has been terrific in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense this year, so the team will have a big void to fill if he misses any time.
According to a tweet from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Ware is expected to miss about two weeks with a back strain. It doesn't look like Ware will be available to face Cleveland.
Broncos Sign a New Tight End
As reported by Ben Swanson of the team's official website, the Broncos have a new tight end on the roster. His name is Richard Gordon, a blocking tight end who played at Miami in college. He has played for the Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.
To make room for Gordon, the Broncos waived tight end Mitchell Henry. The Broncos acquired Henry via waivers from the Green Bay Packers after final roster cuts had been made. Henry didn't catch a pass while with the team.
In Gordon, the Broncos may be looking for another guy like Virgil Green who can come in and aid the rushing attack. He is also able to line up at fullback, something head coach Gary Kubiak is fond of. However, James Casey was able to do that too and was probably a better option than Gordon.
T.J. Ward to Face His Former Team
Prior to coming to Denver as a free agent, safety T.J. Ward spent four seasons in Cleveland. The Browns took Ward in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft out of Oregon, and he lived up to his high draft status.
Ward had more than 100 tackles in 2010 and again in 2013. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2013 season.
The Browns likely wish Ward was still on their side, rather than part of the opposition.
Latest Injury News
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For the Broncos latest injury news, we go to Andrew Mason of the team's official website.
The Broncos made it through the first quarter of the season relatively unscathed in terms of injuries. But it seems they are slowly beginning to pile up.
In addition to Ware, Ty Sambrailo is another key member of the team who has been dealing with an injury. Though he's missed the last two games, he was able to practice on Wednesday.
Offensive lineman Evan Mathis and cornerback Aqib Talib sat out Wednesday's practice session. Mathis has been working through a hamstring injury, and Talib was forced to come off the field in the second half of the game against Oakland with an ankle injury. He was able to return to the field, but he was clearly less than 100 percent.
Juwan Thompson injured his hamstring against the Raiders and was limited in practice, as was offensive lineman Ryan Harris and wide receiver Bennie Fowler.
There is no indication that the Broncos will be without the services of any of these players on Sunday.
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Key Matchups
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Denver Running Game vs. Cleveland Run Defense
It's now or never for the Broncos and their rushing attack. If the team can't figure out how to get yards on the ground in this game, it's not going to happen this season.
Cleveland will come into the game ranked No. 31 in the league against the run. They are allowing 149.4 yards per game on the ground. Though Denver has found it very difficult to move the ball on the ground this season, they should be able to find success in this one.
Look for C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman to both have good games.
Denver Secondary vs. Travis Benjamin
The Browns don't have a wealth of offensive weapons, so it shouldn't be tough for Denver to slow them down with one of the league's best defenses.
Travis Benjamin has been the big-play guy for the Browns this season, and quarterback Josh McCown will likely look his way often. Benjamin has 22 receptions on the season with four touchdowns. In addition, he's averaging 18.7 yards per catch.
However, he will be matched up against either Harris or Aqib Talib. Benjamin will find the sledding tough against either of those guys. Benjamin has had at least 45 yards receiving in each game this season. Don't be surprised to see that number be a little lower in this game.
T.J. Ward vs. Gary Barnidge
If the Broncos are successful in taking Benjamin out of the game, McCown's No. 2 target in the passing game could be tight end Gary Barnidge.
Over the last three games, Barnidge has emerged as a legitimate threat in the passing game. He's caught 20 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns over that span. At 6'6", he has the size to give the Broncos some trouble.
Ward could draw the assignment of covering Barnidge often. Barnidge doesn't have the speed to make big plays after the catch, but Ward will need to be physical with him to prevent him from using his size to get position in the passing game.
X-Factor Player
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Broncos X-Factor Player of the Week: Owen Daniels
The Broncos need someone other than Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to step up and help a struggling Manning. On the year, Manning has thrown six touchdowns and seven interceptions.
While those aren't numbers we're used to seeing from No. 18, perhaps Manning just isn't going to be that kind of quarterback anymore. As a result, the Broncos need to work in some more underneath routes to the tight end to get Manning into a rhythm. It seems every pass is a shot downfield to one of his top two receivers.
Daniels has caught just 12 passes this season, and though he had touchdowns in back-to-back games against the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, he was held without a catch against Oakland.
This is the game for the Broncos to get Daniels more involved in the passing game, because Manning will need that going forward. Look for Daniels to step up and catch at least five balls in this one.
Prediction
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For the Broncos to reach 6-0, they can't look past Cleveland. The Browns are more than capable of springing the upset, particularly off the momentum of a huge win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.
In that game, McCown threw for 457 yards, and the Browns still needed overtime to win. The Broncos will come into the game with the No. 1 overall defense in the league. Meanwhile, the Browns have given up an average of 26.4 points per game.
Though the Broncos have struggled offensively, the Browns won't be able to slow them down. Joe Haden, arguably the team's best defensive player, is not expected to play in the game due to a concussion, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.
This has to be the game where the Broncos get rolling on offense. Manning needs to step up and play better, and the running game needs to churn out yardage on the ground. Kubiak has to be aware that the Browns are a team that his offense can take advantage of, even if the game is in Cleveland.
Look for the Browns to put up a respectable effort, but the Broncos will leave Cleveland with a 6-0 record and their best total-team performance of the season thus far.
Final Prediction: Broncos 26, Browns 13
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