Broncos pass rusher Von Miller vows to personally lead the Broncos out of a three-game tailspin. (Mile High Sports)
Cleveland Browns scouting report: Denver Broncos
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Browns v. Denver Broncos
Thursday, 8:20 p.m., in FirstEnergy Stadium
Record: 3-3.
Last game: Lost to Las Vegas Raiders, 34-24, Oct. 17, in Denver.
Coach: Vic Fangio, 15-23, third year.
Series record: Broncos lead, 24-6 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Broncos won, 24-19, Nov. 3, 2019, in Denver.
League rankings: Offense is 13th overall (14th rushing, 13th passing), defense is fourth overall (fifth rushing, 11th passing) and turnover differential is minus-2.
Things to watch
1. Like the Browns, the Broncos have been besieged by injuries to derail high expectations. Their defense lost pass rusher Bradley Chubb, linebacker Josey Jewell, and cornerback Ronald Darby for extended periods. Their offense has been without receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a foot injury in his last game but is expected to play.
2. Edge rusher Von Miller had four sacks in Denver’s first three wins over the Giants, Jets and Jaguars, but has dropped off to one-half sack in the team’s three straight losses. The eight-time Pro Bowler called out himself this week, saying, “If I can play well and I can get sacks, and I can find a way to disrupt the game, we’ll win. The pressure’s on me to play well. I will play well.”
3. The Fangio defense employs the highest-paid starting secondary in the NFL in cornerbacks Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain, and safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. In the last three games, they’ve yielded 16 pass plays of 20 yards and more, including 10 of 30 yards and more.
4. Running backs Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams make up a formidable tandem. Gordon has 332 yards (4.7 average) and 2 touchdowns and Williams has 300 yards (4.6) and 1 TD. They also have 27 receptions between them.
Did you know … ?
1. Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski were paired as offensive geniuses when the Vikings went 13-3 in 2017. Shurmur was Vikings OC and Stefanski QB coach when backup QB Case Keenum relieved injured starter Sam Bradford and won 12 of 15 games before losing to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.
2. Under the 35-year stewardship of owner Pat Bowlen, the Broncos produced 28 seasons of .500 or better, 18 playoff seasons, seven Super Bowl appearances and three NFL championships. Bowlen died in 2019 and now the Broncos are trying to avoid their fifth straight losing season.
3. Bowlen’s death resulted in inheritance issues and family ownership squabbles that will ultimately lead to the sale of the franchise, presumably in 2022. All of which has cast a lame-duck cloud over the present regime of first-year GM George Paton and coach Vic Fangio. Bridgewater is in the last year of his contract and the team appears to have given up on 2019 second-round pick Drew Lock. If the team is sold, it is expected to be a candidate to pursue potentially available veteran quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers or Deshaun Watson next season.
Small world: Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was Browns head coach 2011-12 … Defensive pass game specialist Chris Beake was a Browns offensive assistant 2011-12 … Defensive tackle Dre’mont Jones is a native of Cleveland and played at Ohio State.
