The Denver Broncos put their perfect record on the line in Week 6 against a Cleveland Browns team looking to build momentum following its emotional win last week over the Ravens.
NFL picks and predictions, Broncos vs. Browns 2015: Experts have Denver improving to 6-0
The Broncos might not even have the best QB on the field, but almost everyone expects them to win on Sunday.
The Broncos’ win last Sunday followed a script that is becoming all too familiar for fans in Denver: another week, another victory thanks mostly to a dominant defensive effort overcoming an inconsistent offense and a shaky performance by Peyton Manning. For the second time in five games, the Broncos won a game despite not scoring a rushing or passing touchdown. The rest of the league has combined for zero such victories.
Manning’s struggles are just the tip of the iceberg, however, when digging into the problems that have plagued the Broncos’ offense, which is ranked dead last in the league per Football Outsiders’ efficiency metrics. The bigger concern might be a rushing attack that is averaging a meager 71.6 yards per game (30th in NFL) and 3.3 yards per rush (31st in NFL). If the Broncos can’t get their ground game going this weekend against a Browns run defense that has allowed the most rushing yards of any team this season, Denver could be doomed for the season.
The Browns might have saved their season with last week's thrilling overtime win in Baltimore, but at 2-3 and already three games back in the division, they still face an uphill battle to reach the playoffs. With upcoming games against the Rams, Cardinals, Bengals and Steelers before their bye in Week 11, this is a defining stretch of the season for a Cleveland team looking to prove itself as a contender. Josh McCown is playing perhaps the best football of his career, but faces his stiffest test yet against the NFL's best defense.
Based on the matchups and the history between these two teams, Denver should be a lock to win this game. The Broncos are 22-5 all-time against the Browns (including playoffs) and have won the last 10 matchups. Cleveland’s last win in the series came in October 1990. The games haven’t been close either: eight of Denver’s 10 wins during the streak have come by double digits.
So, it's hardly a surprise that all of ESPN's experts are going with Denver. At CBS Sports, seven of eight panelists are taking the Broncos to win, with John Breech the lone man taking Cleveland.
Everyone at SB Nation is going with the Broncos, other than Joel Thorman.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark | |
| DEN @ CLE | DEN | DEN | CLE | DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN |
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