Case Keenum, D’Ernest Johnson carry Cleveland Browns to victory over reeling Denver Broncos
With Case Keenum carrying the torch for injured starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Browns improved to 4-3, giving them a much-needed sense of calm ahead of their next game Oct. 31 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In Keenum’s first start since Dec. 29, 2019, he completed 21-of-33 passes (63.6%) for 199 yards and a touchdown without an interception for a rating of 90.3 against one of his former teams. The Broncos (3-4) traded the 10-year NFL veteran in March 2019 to the Washington Football Team.
Adversity hit the Browns hard this week. Not only did they lose their second consecutive game Sunday, but they were also decimated by injuries.
Attrition persisted Thursday. Starting cornerback Denzel Ward suffered a left hamstring injury and exited the game for good with 8:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Even pregame warm-ups weren’t safe, as evidenced by No. 3 receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones suffering a groin injury during them and sitting out against the Broncos.
Browns have a Baker Mayfield dilemma – and it’s not just the QB’s injuryDo Titans make another AFC statement and beat Chiefs?
NFL NEWSLETTER:Sign up now to get football news delivered to your inbox
Cleveland Browns jump out to 10-0 lead in first quarter vs. Denver Broncos
Stefanski strayed from his tendency to defer by electing to receive the opening kickoff when the Browns won the coin toss.
The decision paid off because the Browns began the game by seizing a 7-0 lead with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Johnson’s 4-yard rushing touchdown with 12:20 left in the first quarter.
After the Browns defense registered a three-and-out on its first series, Chase McLaughlin gave Cleveland a 10-0 lead by making a 52-yard field goal with 3:09 left in the first quarter. The kick concluded a 12-play, 43-yard drive and rated high in style points because the flags atop the goal posts at the Dawg Pound were flapping in gusty conditions.
The ensuing series ended with 14:53 left in the second quarter, when John Johnson III intercepted a off-target pass Bridgewater intended for receiver John Brown in the end zone.
The Browns didn’t capitalize on the takeaway, though. On their third possession, they advanced to the Denver 47, where their drive stalled in part because of a Beckham drop on second-and-13 with 11:11 left in the second quarter.
On the heels of another incomplete pass intended for Beckham – he slipped on third-and-13 from the Denver 23 – McLaughlin’s 41-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by the right hand of Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris with 1:50 remaining in the first half.