Denver maintained its perfect start to the season with a nerve-wracking victory over Oakland on Sunday. The Broncos will look to extend their winning streak even further when they take on the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster clash this coming Sunday.
Who will grab the edge in this pivotal showdown? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this AFC clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our NFL Week 6 previews of New England vs. Indianapolis and Cincinnati vs. Buffalo.
[sc:Football ]Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Preview
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
When: Sunday, October 18, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a hard-fought 16-10 victory Sunday over the Oakland Raiders. It was another huge victory for the Broncos, who improved their season-record to 5-0. That’s now the seventh time in Peyton Manning’s career that he has started the season eith five-straight victories.
[sc:NFL240banner ]But Manning had a so-so performance on Sunday, completing just 22 of 35 passes for 266 yards with two interceptions. That brings his season INT total to seven, compared to just six touchdown passes, through Denver’s first five games. That’s the first time since Manning’s rookie year that he has more interceptions than touchdowns at this stage of the season.
Fortunately for the five-time MVP, the Broncos’ defense stepped up its play once again. They limited Oakland to just 288 total yards on Sunday. Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. put an exclamation point to the Broncos’ defensive dominance, returning a pick 74 yards for a touchdown with seven minutes left in the game clock. Harris’ interception was the seventh turnover that the Denver defense has forced in the fourth quarter this season, and also the second time the Broncos have returned one of those takeaways for a TD.
The Broncos are first in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 278.0 yards per game this season. Through their first five games, the Broncos have recorded 22 sacks, forced 14 turnovers and scored three defensive touchdowns. They will need to bring that same kind of defensive intensity against a Cleveland side that’s eighth in the NFL in total offense, averaging 377.4 yards per game.
The Broncos are 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six road games.
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Betting on the Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns finally snapped their two-game losing streak with a heart-stopping 33-30 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Browns (2-3) rallied from a 12-point deficit to leave the Ravens (1-4) alone at the bottom of the AFC North standings.
Cleveland’s victory in this enthralling contest wouldn’t be possible without the heroics of Josh McCown. He completed 36 of 51 passes for a franchise-record 457 yards and two touchdowns. With that electric performance, he became the first Browns quarterback to record three straight 300-yard games. Also stepping up big time in their win Sunday was tight end Gary Barnidge. He caught eight passes for 139 yards, including a highlight-reel touchdown that he snared off his ankle as he laid on the ground.
It won’t get any easier, though, for this emerging passing duo as Denver’s league-best defense awaits them next week. The Broncos are fifth in the NFL in passing defense, allowing just 192.8 yards per game this season. They have also conceded the fewest passing touchdowns in the league this campaign, allowing just three scores through the air this year.
That being said, the Browns will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Broncos side that has been out of sorts on the offensive end this season. The Broncos are 30th in the NFL in total offense, averaging just 302.6 yards per game this year. The Browns need to put constant pressure on Peyton Manning for them to stand a chance on Sunday. Manning has been error-prone thus far this year, throwing at least one interception in each of his first five games. That’s the first time that has happened to Manning since the 1998-99 season.
The Browns are 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in their last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Denver wins, 24-20.
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