Browns vs. Broncos: 5 questions with Predominantly Orange
By Thomas Moore
Oct 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) gestures against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium for the latest in what has been one of the most lopsided rivalries in franchise history.
Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, the Browns and the Broncos have faced each other 27 times and the Browns have only walked away as winners on five of those occasions.
It gets even worse when you consider that Cleveland three of the first four meetings between the clubs, only to see the Broncos take over the series. Denver has won the past 10 times the teams have played, with the last Cleveland victory coming in 1990.
The Browns winning percentage of .208 against the Broncos is the worst by Cleveland against any non-expansion team. (And let’s not get started on those three losses in the AFC Championship game.)
To make matters worse, Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is a perfect 6-0 against the Browns in his career.
Should be quite the fun day at the lakefront.
To learn a bit more about the latest edition of the Broncos, we turned to Brad James at Predominantly Orange for a virtual Q&A on Denver.
Question: The Broncos have been considered a successful running offense practically since the days of Floyd Little. This year, however, they are 30th in the NFL in rushing. What’s going on?
Brad: The problem with the running offense is that the Broncos are instituting a new methodology with Gary Kubiak, and because Peyton Manning’s arm isn’t what it once was it appears defenses are stacking the box to stop the run.
Question: This is not the Peyton Manning that fans are accustomed to, so what can we expect from him on Sunday?
Brad: I think that Manning will continue to make good decisions. The interception in the end zone against Oakland occurred because tight end Owen Daniels wasn’t where he was supposed to be, that was a timing route. The other one was not a well-thrown ball.
Before Charles Woodson’s pick in the end zone, Ronnie Hillman dropped a touchdown pass and Demaryius Thomas dropped another one after a Broncos’ strip sack. I think that Manning generally played well against the Raiders, and if the wind is not too gusty he can have a successful day against a porous Browns defense.
Question: How big of a loss is DeMarcus Ware and what can the Broncos do to compensate for his absence?
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Brad: I think in the absence of DeMarcus Ware, you may see more of outside linebacker Shane Ray, the first-round selection out of Missouri in this past spring’s NFL Draft. He had a clutch sack against the Raiders to help squelch their last good opportunity for a comeback in the fourth quarter.
Question: The Browns passing game is currently ranked 6th in the league, while the Broncos come in with the 5th-best passing defense in the NFL. Who blinks first on Sunday?
Brad: I think that the Broncos’ ability to rush the passer effectively will serve the secondary well, although I have great respect for Travis Benjamin. He is an outstanding receiver and the Broncos should not take him lightly. We’ll see what happens.
Question: Prediction for Sunday?
Brad: The Broncos have traditionally owned the Browns and I think this is a good chance for the Broncos’ offense to get on track, seeing as the Cleveland defense gives up more than 28 points and 400 yards per game. In that vein of thought, I think the Browns’ offense also has some firepower. I’ll go with the Broncos, 34-28.