The Broncos are a playoff team fighting for the number one seed in the conference. The Browns are a 5-10 team several pieces short of contention. These were the facts going into the game, and they certainly haven’t changed.
Peyton Manning picked the Browns defense apart with his usual precision. He finished with 339 yards and three touchdowns. He picked on Sheldon Brown early and Buster Skrine late.
Cleveland’s offense had a few nice early drives, but were unable to punch the ball into the end zone. Brandon Weeden was 12-of-19 before getting knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury. Trent Richardson had 6 carries in the first half and just three in the second half as the Browns abandoned the run once they fell behind again. To add insult to injury, Richardson had to be helped off the field at the end of the game with a leg injury.
Denver sacked Cleveland quarterbacks six times. The Browns were unable to put any kind of consistent pressure on Manning.
Colt McCoy entered the game after Weeden’s injury and was 9-of-17 for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine this one ending any different than it did.
