The Broncos will take on the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6:20 p.m. MT.
MATCHUP
After falling to the Raiders and extending their losing streak to three games, the Broncos badly need a win to stop their slide as they head to Cleveland to face the Browns. However, Cleveland is surely feeling similarly after losing their last two games to also settle into a 3-3 record through six weeks.
Neither team is close to full strength due to injuries, but the Browns may be as beat-up as any team in the league. They will be without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, their top two running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and first-round pick linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. But with veteran QB Case Keenum — whom Broncos fans are familiar with from his 2018 season in Denver — Cleveland's offense could still be dangerous with targets like wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and tight end David Njoku. With both of the Denver's starting inside linebackers on injured reserve and the secondary licking its wounds after being beat several times for explosive gains on Sunday, the Broncos defense must rebound on Thursday.
Offensively, Teddy Bridgewater and Co. must find ways to piece together long scoring drives. Against Las Vegas, Denver scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the first time in 24 games, but it then reeled off five straight empty possessions (excluding a kneeldown at the end of the half). While Bridgewater has had some success connecting with Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Noah Fant recently, Denver's offense must make more plays on third down to keep drives alive. Cleveland's dominant edge rusher, Myles Garrett, will be disruptive to that effort, but Denver has to keep him and the rest of the Browns' pass rush at bay for a shot to win on the road.
INJURY UPDATE
The Broncos ruled out only inside linebacker Baron Browning (concussion) and outside linebacker Aaron Patrick (ankle), but the team listed three players as questionable: Bridgewater (foot/quad), tackle Garett Bolles (knee) and safety Caden Sterns (illness). Bridgewater was estimated as a limited practice participant all three days, while Bolles was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday and Wednesday after "missing" Monday's practice. Neither the Broncos nor the Browns held practices on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, so this week's practice report designations are merely estimates of participation if a practice had been conducted.
Cleveland ruled out Chubb and Mayfield, as previously mentioned, as well as cornerback A.J. Green. Several other key players are listed as questionable, however, including Beckham, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, starting tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin, starting center JC Tretter and defensive end Malik Jackson.
The full week's injury report can be viewed here.
WATCH ON TV: FOX
Play-by-Play: Joe Buck
Analyst: Troy Aikman
Sideline: Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
WATCH ON MOBILE
In-market fans can stream the game on DenverBroncos.com or in the Broncos 365 app via mobile web on iOS on iPhones and iPads and through the Yahoo Sports app. Streaming is available on Android devices on the Yahoo Sports app only.
LISTEN LIVE
NATIONAL RADIO (WESTWOOD ONE)
Play-by-Play: Tom McCarthy
Analyst: Mike Golic
LOCAL ENGLISH RADIO (KOA - 850 AM/94.1 FM & The Fox - 103.5 FM)
Play-by-Play: Dave Logan
Analyst: Rick Lewis
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Follow the Broncos for live game-day updates, videos and behind-the-scenes photos:
Instagram: @Broncos
Twitter: @Broncos
Facebook: Denver Broncos
