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D'Ernest Johnson rushed for a career-best 146 yards and a
touchdown in his first career start for the Browns (4-3). Johnny
Stanton caught his first career scoring pass as Cleveland halted
a two-game losing streak.
Denver's Teddy Bridgewater completed 23 of 33 passes for 187
yards, two touchdowns and one interception while playing on an
injured foot. Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams caught
touchdown passes for the Broncos (3-4), who lost their fourth
consecutive game.
The Browns played without Mayfield (left shoulder) and top
running backs Nick Chubb (calf) and Kareem Hunt (calf).
Broncos linebacker Von Miller (ankle) was injured late in the
second quarter and didn't return.
Cleveland outgained Denver 376 yards to 223 as Keenum made his
first start since the final week of the 2019 season for
Washington. He completed 21 of 33 passes while Myles Garrett
recorded 1.5 sacks to raise his NFL-best total to 9.5.
Johnson carried 22 times and also caught two passes for 22
yards. He had three rushes this season entering the contest and
40 in his three-year career.
Denver possessed the ball for just eight minutes and 49 seconds
in the first half while falling behind 10-0. However, the
Broncos opened the third quarter with a 13-play, 79-yard drive
and capped the excursion with Bridgewater's 8-yard scoring pass
to Gordon.
The Browns responded with an equally impressive drive in which
they moved 75 yards on 13 plays. Keenum ended the drive with a
1-yard toss to Stanton to make it 17-7 with 27 seconds left in
the third period.
Denver later pulled within three as Bridgewater threw a 10-yard
touchdown pass to Williams with 5:17 remaining in the game to
cap a 17-play, 80-yard excursion.
The Broncos never saw the ball again as Johnson (52 yards on
seven carries on the drive) helped the Browns run out the clock.
Cleveland led by just 10 at halftime despite outgaining the
Broncos 214 to 76 and having 12 first downs to Denver's two.
The Browns ripped down the field on a five-play, 75-yard drive
to start the game. Johnson capped it with a 4-yard scoring run.
Cleveland's lead reached 10 when Chase McLaughlin booted a
52-yard field goal with 3:09 remaining in the first quarter.
--Field Level Media
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