The Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos both have an outside shot at the playoffs, but they’ll need a win in their Week 15 matchup to keep those alive.
Under Hue Jackson, it was clear that the Cleveland Browns were being held back. What’s more, they’ve shown that in recent weeks as they’ve bounced back in a big way with three wins in the five games they’ve played without him. Now they have an outside shot at the playoffs, but they play another team in the same position on Saturday as they travel to Mile High for a date with the Denver Broncos.
The Browns this season have seen Baker Mayfield establish the fact that he can be a franchise quarterback. He turned heads as the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he’s proven to be worth it thus far. Mayfield has had his ups and down, but the former has been more prevalent this season. Armed with Myles Garrett and a stout defense on the opposite side, this team can compete with anyone.
Having said that, the Broncos have the ability to attack one of the Browns’ biggest weaknesses. Cleveland’s offensive line has been problematic after Joe Thomas’ retirement, which doesn’t look great against Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. What Denver needs is for them to control the game, especially with the injuries that have piled up on their offense around Case Keenum.
Perhaps this game will come down to which rookie running back can control the clock, Nick Chubb or Phillip Lindsay. Either way, this game will have a little throwback feel with good defense and strong run games duking it out with playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
TV and Live Stream info
Date: Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018
Start Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Denver, CO
Stadium: Broncos Stadium at Mile High
TV Info: NFL Network
Live Stream: FuboTV, NFL.com
This should be a highly entertaining game. Mayfield and the Browns offense, which has shown real life lately, will be tested against Von Miller and this Broncos defense. However, the same can be said of the Denver offense against this Cleveland defense. The winner’s playoff hopes, however, will remain intact.