Browns vs. Broncos: Denver wins 10th consecutive game

On the last play of Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, Trent Richardson sustained a leg injury and left the field on a cart. There is currently no update on his status. It was an unfortunate end to a day that started with some celebration, as Richardson broke Jim Brown’s rookie record for most rushing yards by a Browns’ rookie.

Pat Shurmur’s decision to leave the rookie in with his team losing by more than twenty will likely come under scrutity. The third overall pick in the 2012 draft has sustained a variety of injuries his rookie season, including a rib injury he had just been recoving from prior to Sunday’s game.

The Browns are currently trailing Denver 24-6.

Weeden is 12-of-19 for 104 yards, without a touchdown or an interception. McCoy came in and, like clockwork, was sacked on his first pass attempt. He is currently 1-of-2 for 0 yards.

In 1957, Jim Brown ran for 942 yards and nine touchdowns. With 53 yards in the first half, Trent Richardson extended his rookie total to 950 yards and 11 touchdowns, breaking Browns’ mark in the process. The NFL is very different to when Jim Brown set his record, and it’s important to note that he played fullback, not the running back role that Richardson enjoys in the modern NFL. However, for a storied franchise like the Cleveland Browns, any new record is important.

Jim Brown still holds the biggest record -- the team rushing mark. Set in 1963, he ran for 1,863 yards. Trent Richardson has a long career ahead of him, and the organization can only hope he’ll enjoy the same success.

The one pick was about his only blemish as he has the Browns defense on the ropes.

Fantasy Impact: Just another day at the office for Peyton, and fantasy owners couldn’t be happier about his performance during the championship games.

The complete list of Browns inactives, via the team’s official Twitter:

The Broncos inactives, via Broncos Gameday:

The Broncos enter the game at 11-3, having won nine consecutive games. In that same span, the Browns actually have a winning record, going 5-4 in their last nine games after starting the season 0-5.

Richardson’s selection has paid immediate dividends, as the punishing back has rushed for 897 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite gaining just 3.5 yards per attempt. Weeden has shown flashes of potential, but has struggled overall in his first season. The 29-year-old rookie has thrown more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (14), although he has already eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark with two games left to play.

The Browns, meanwhile, are playing for pride. They have been playing much better as of late though. After losing the first five games of the season, Cleveland has gone 5-4 in their last nine.

Sunday, Dec. 23, 4:05 p.m. ET

ESPN totes 12 experts, and across the board, they went with the Broncos to beat the Browns. Yahoo! Sports experts also saw it the same way, giving the game to the Broncos in unanimous fashion.

It’s CBS Sports that’s rocking the boat a bit. Their experts picked this game at an even split down the middle with four votes to the Browns and four to the Broncos.

Then again, bettors have mostly succeeded with Denver this season, as the Broncos are 9-5 against the spread. Better yet, Denver is 7-2 against the spread in its last nine games. Cleveland has also done well against the line, however, with an 8-5-1 record.

Even though the Broncos have the NFL’s No. 2 offense, oddsmakers aren’t expecting a shootout. The over/under for Sunday’s game is currently 44.5.