NFL Week 9 Pick – Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos
Both Teams Desperate for Wins
pmroczka
Our Cleveland vs Denver pick has the Browns at -4.5. This Cleveland vs Denver pick notes that both teams have struggled as of late with the Browns losing their last three and the Broncos doing the same in their last two. The Browns come to Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver desperate for a win.
Cleveland starts Baker Mayfield at QB, while start third-year QB Brandon Allen. Allen, who gets his first NFL start today, is replacing Joe Flacco. Flacco went on the IR this week for a neck injury. The game will be played on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 4:25 pm ET.
Cleveland vs Denver Pick – Recent Performance
The Cleveland Browns (2-5 Overall, 2-2 Away), who are third in the AFC North behind first-place Baltimore and second-place Pittsburgh, have underperformed thus far. The Browns’ last win was on September 29 when they beat the Ravens 40-25 in Baltimore. Since then, Cleveland has lost to San Francisco 31-3, Seattle 32-28, and New England 27-13.
The Denver Broncos (2-6 Overall, 1-3 Home) are last in the AFC West. After starting the season with four-straight losses, the Broncos secured two wins. The first was on October 6 when they beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-13. Denver’s second win came on October 13 when they beat Tennessee 16-0. Since then, Denver’s lost 30-6 to Kansas City and 15-13 to Indianapolis.
Cleveland Browns
Our Cleveland vs Denver pick observes that the Browns are averaging 19.0 PPG. They are giving up 25.9 PPG. The offense is generating 244.3 YPG in the air and 125.4 YPG on the ground. Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield has struggled this season, completing 57.6% of his passes. Mayfield has been sacked 21 times and thrown 12 picks and just six TDs. He has solid pass catchers to toss to, including Jarvis Landry (30 REC, 16.8 AVG, 0 TDs) and Odell Beckham Jr. (34 REC, 14.4 AVG, 1 TD). RB Nick Chubb is a major threat. He’s averaging 5.5 YPA and has scored six times. The running back is averaging 105.4 YPG. Chubb has fumbled twice, losing both.
While Cleveland is generating 369.7 YPG in offense, they are allowing opponents 386.0 offensive yards. Passing yards total 242.7 YPG and rushing 143.3 YPG. The Browns have accumulated 22 sacks and 46.5 TFL, as well as four picks and 19 PD. LB Joe Schobert leads the team with 73 tackles. He also has three TFL, one sack, and one PD. DE Myles Garrett tops the Browns with 10 sacks and a dozen TFL.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have averaged just 15.6 YPG. They’ve been good for 110.0 rushing yards per contest and 227.8 passing yards. Total offensive yards are 337.8 YPG. The big question is how will Allen respond at QB? He’s up against a defense that has some solid performers. Howver, the neophyte signal caller does have a reliable group of receivers, including wideouts Courtland Sutton, who’s posted 39 catches and averaged 16.3 YPC, and Emmanuel Sanders, who’s had 30 receptions while averaging 12.2 YPC. Sutton has made three TD receptions and Sanders two. TE Noah Fant could prove to be a fine outlet for Allen on short passes. He’s made 20 catches, averaging 9.9 YPC and crossing the goal line once. The rushing tandem of Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman are responsible for five TDs, with Lindsay notching four of those. Lindsay has accumulated 492 yards on 109 carries for 4.9 YPA. Freeman has posted 359 yards on 88 carries. He’s averaging 4.1 YPA.
Denver has been holding opponents to 109.8 YPG on the ground and 205.0 YPG in the air. Total defensive yards given up are 314.8 YPG. The defense is allowing 18.9 PPG. The Broncos have 17 sacks, 43 TFL, and 34 PD. They’ve also grabbed five picks. LB Von Miller has four sacks and six TFL, while DE Derek Wolfe has also made four sacks and has manufactured five TFL. The secondary offers some fine performers, including safety Justin Simmons. Simmons leads the Broncos with two picks and nine PD.
Our Cleveland vs Denver Pick
The major question for the Browns is can Mayfield connect with his two top receivers? That answer is literally and figuratively up in the air. The Browns have to protect the Mayfield. That’s something they’ve struggled with this season. Plus, Mayfield has been less than accurate. In addition, the Bronco defense is tough. However, Denver has its own challenges with Flacco out and Allen getting his first start as a NFL signal caller. We expect defense will be an important factor in this game. With that in mind, our Cleveland vs Denver pick is the Broncos at +4.5.
