3 things we learned about the Broncos

For 34 yards, McManus nailed it and the Broncos remained unbeaten by defeating the Browns, 26-23 on chilly sometimes cloudy, sometimes sunny Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. They’re way up in the AFC West. But in playoff-caliber tests later this season against the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots, the Broncos must be smarter and more efficient offensively.

The Browns were rolling on offense against Baltimore for sure.

If I scribbled about all the key plays in this game, I’d run out of ink. But running back David Turbin was thrown for a 3-yard loss and McCown was sacked on consecutive plays, forcing Cleveland to punt. The game also marked the third straight 300-plus-yard performance for McCown which is also a franchise record.

Last week against the Raiders, the offense was unable to find the end zone one any of its three red-zone chances, relying exclusively on kicker Brandon McManus and the defense to put points on the scoreboard.

But this is not the time to think for one second about Johnny Manziel taking over at quarterback.

“To be on the brink of a heck of win and to not be able to finish it, it is a tough deal”, Pettine said after the Browns’ 26-23 overtime loss to the Broncos.

When examining McCown’s targets, there is not necessarily a star that jumps off the page. “I know I can play in this league now”.

A team that was finally feeling fortunate on Sunday was Detroit. TE Gary Barnidge set career highs with eight catches for 139 yards last week. On his receiving group, McCown told the media at his weekly press conference, “This group of guys they’re so fun to work with because they come out and they practice hard”. Cleveland had possession of the ball at the Denver 39-yard line, a first down away from being well-within Coons’ range. I will say that this Broncos team might be relieved after this game with the bye coming up. “It’s going to get going, and then people can ask about something else”. I had a couple good moments, but for the most part, not good. For the second time during that stretch, the Browns watched the other team celebrate after the ball split through the uprights. Even with DeMarcus Ware out and Shane Ray leaving the game early, the defense hummed along fine. Whether the Browns can keep things rolling on the offensive side of the ball will be an interesting storyline against a Broncos defense that has been downright dominating this season. The Broncos won two previous games this year without scoring an offensive touchdown. And the team continues to bank on that loyalty.

Pettine said tight end Rob Housler (hamstring), linebacker Tank Carder (shoulder) and running back Duke Johnson (shoulder) came out of the game with physical issues that will be revisited October. 19. It’s basically been the same story for the first six weeks of the season with Manning not playing like himself and the Denver defense keeping them in these games.

The first half of that sentence has been unthinkable for the past 15 years, and the second half of that sentence was unthinkable heading into the 2015 season. As the league executive notes, Manning’s arm strength has been zapped after neck surgeries, and as a result, the Broncos pass offense are a lot of short gains instead of deep, long passes. The team has not been able to establish any rhythm. More failed to reach the playoffs after a 5-0 start than reached the Super Bowl.

Late in the second quarter, he missed a wide-open Sanders by a few feet.

The Cleveland Browns will receive the ball to start the second half.