The Cleveland Browns are far past their 0-16 season, and the Hue Jackson era, as they are in playoff contention, believe it or not. They improved that playoff positioning a little bit on Saturday night, edging the Denver Broncos on the road, 17-16. Their win also eliminates the Broncos from the playoff conversation, as they improve to 6-7-1 on the season. That has them just 1.5 games out of first place in the AFC North, while the Wild Card picture remains an option as well. The Broncos had a chance to win the game late on their home field, but Case Keenum was sacked by Jabrill Peppers on fourth down, ending the Broncos' chances and sealing the Browns' win.
The Cleveland offense did just enough on this night to earn the win, as Baker Mayfield threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns, one to Antonio Callaway and the other to Breshad Perriman. His touchdown throw to Callaway gave the Browns the lead for good early in the fourth quarter, as the defense stepped up the rest of the way to give Cleveland their second road win of the season.
The run game was expected to be a big part of this game on both sides, but neither one found the end zone, as Phillip Lindsay was held to just 24 yards on the ground for Denver. Nick Chubb did reach 100 yards on the Browns' side, but was held out of the scorebook on this night. In the end, the Browns still came away with their first win over Denver since 1990.
Their playoff hopes may be slim, but the Browns need to win out to not only record their first winning season since 2007, but also their first playoff berth since 2002. Their early-season tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers may come back to haunt them, as the Steelers hold the top spot in the AFC North heading in to their showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The Browns will return home next week to battle the struggling Cincinnati Bengals, while the Broncos will visit the lowly Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.
The Cleveland offense did just enough on this night to earn the win, as Baker Mayfield threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns, one to Antonio Callaway and the other to Breshad Perriman. His touchdown throw to Callaway gave the Browns the lead for good early in the fourth quarter, as the defense stepped up the rest of the way to give Cleveland their second road win of the season.
The run game was expected to be a big part of this game on both sides, but neither one found the end zone, as Phillip Lindsay was held to just 24 yards on the ground for Denver. Nick Chubb did reach 100 yards on the Browns' side, but was held out of the scorebook on this night. In the end, the Browns still came away with their first win over Denver since 1990.
Their playoff hopes may be slim, but the Browns need to win out to not only record their first winning season since 2007, but also their first playoff berth since 2002. Their early-season tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers may come back to haunt them, as the Steelers hold the top spot in the AFC North heading in to their showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The Browns will return home next week to battle the struggling Cincinnati Bengals, while the Broncos will visit the lowly Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.
