The Denver Broncos (7-5) host the Cleveland Browns (3-8). Denver is making its playoff push in the second year of head coach Sean Payton’s reign. Cleveland has been off for 11 days since its upset win over Pittsburgh. Our Browns vs Broncos prediction is for the teams to score less than 41.5 points.
During the 1980s, Cleveland-Denver was one of the NFL‘s marquee rivalries. The teams met three times in the AFC Championship Game with Denver winning each time.
Head-to-head, Denver leads with a 25-7 record.
Offshore Odds: Broncos Are 6-Point Favorites at Home
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | +6 (-110) | +225 | O 41.5 (-115) |
| Broncos | -6 (-110) | -265 | U 41.5 (-105) |
Rested Browns Must Build on Upset of Steelers
Cleveland has had an awful year based on every objective metric. Still, they managed to upset Pittsburgh in Week 12 and have had 11 days of rest. The offense has performed much better with Jameis Winston at quarterback after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles. A run to playoff contention is likely out of the question, but they can build for 2025.
Their defense has been shaky, but they have controlled the passing game reasonably well, ranked 15th in the league in yards allowed through the air per game. They are 24th in yards per game against the run. The problem has been their offense. They are 30th in points per game.
The win against Pittsburgh, though impressive, may have had more to do with the matchup between bitter longtime rivals and playing through a snowstorm.
Denver is on the Rise
Denver has won two straight to solidify its playoff position. In Week 10, they should have beaten Kansas City to hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season, but a blocked field goal upended them. After Cleveland, they play Indianapolis. They could all but clinch a playoff spot if they win both.
Early in the season, head coach Sean Payton worked conservatively with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. He is increasingly cutting Nix loose. The QB has not thrown an interception since Week 9. Overall, he has thrown for more than 2,500 yards, 16 touchdowns, and six picks. He has also rushed for 300 yards.
Denver’s strength is its defense. They have allowed the third fewest points per game in the league. They are sixth in fewest rushing yards and ninth in fewest passing yards per game.
With the experienced head coach, young freewheeling quarterback who doesn’t realize he’s a rookie, and a tough defense, the Broncos are the exact type of team that will upset a top seed in the playoffs…if they get there. First they need to take care of Cleveland.
Browns vs Broncos Prediction: Expect a Low-Scoring Game
Good weather is expected in Denver Monday night. But the 6-point spread seems a bit high. Cleveland has intermittently had trouble scoring and Denver’s defense is notoriously stingy. The Broncos should win, but the teams will combine to score less than 41.5 points.
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