Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos
Final Score: Broncos 29, Browns 12
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
Russell Wilson displayed why he is a respected quarterback around the league, while Dorian Thompson-Robinson displayed why he still has a lot to learn. The Broncos outplayed the Browns in all aspects of the game which was directly reflected on the scoreboard. The Browns’ historical struggles in Mile High continue as they get sent home with their tale between their legs in a 29-12 defeat at the hands of the Broncos.
Three Up
- Russell Wilson – He didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he beat up a typically tough defense.
- David Njoku – Another nine targets although the result still leaves some to be desired.
- Cedric Tillman – More and more playing time over the last couple of weeks.
Three Down
- Elijah Moore – Catching 33% of your targets is disappointing.
- Jerry Jeudy – Being targeted three times resulting in 11 yards is disappointing.
- Amari Cooper – The quality of targets Cooper gets continues to decline.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 14/29, 134 yards, touchdown, fumble | 5 carries, 21 yards
Before exiting the game in the third quarter after a roughing the passer penalty, rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson showed that he still has a lot to learn in the NFL. His efficiency wasn’t great, he didn’t look comfortable in the pocket, and he didn’t make many quality throws downfield. He did manage to score his first NFL touchdown in a losing effort.
Notes
- Injury in the third quarter, did not return
caught the whole defense slipping 😯#CLEvsDEN on FOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/YjYHji8Wig
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 26, 2023
PJ Walker: 6/13, 56 yards, 4 sacks, 2 fumbles (1 lost) | 1 carry, -1 yards
Stepping in for the injured Dorian Thompson-Robinson, PJ Walker entered the game at the end of the third quarter and shortly thereafter squandered away any hope of a Browns comeback. One of his sacks resulted in a safety.
Running Back
Jerome Ford: 9 carries, 65 yards | 7 targets, 4 receptions, 14 yards
Game script was not a friend to the Browns’ rushing attack. Jerome Ford‘s early touches were fruitful, but as the game went on they basically disappeared. Ford was targeted in the passing game on a bunch of dump-offs but wasn’t able to do a whole lot with them.
Kareem Hunt: 7 carries, 22 yards
Game script was again not in the favor of Kareem Hunt. The Browns had to throw the ball early which mostly removed Kareem from the game in the second half.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
David Njoku: 9 targets, 6 receptions, 59 yards
After 15 targets last week, David Njoku followed it up with nine more this week. A score that was “vultured” by a fellow tight end would’ve been nice to see under Njoku’s statline instead but Njoku is still trending upwards. He still has some focus issues with an easy drop here and there which is concerning for a veteran.
Amari Cooper: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards
A new quarterback under center continues to be a detriment to Amari Cooper‘s production. The quality of targets Cooper has been receiving is on the decline game after game. He took a shot in the fourth quarter and didn’t return.
Notes
- Injury in the fourth quarter, did not return
Dorian DIME for Amari to reach 9K career receiving yards!!#CLEvsDEN on FOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/tLVE192Wfv
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 26, 2023
Elijah Moore: 9 targets, 3 receptions, 44 yards, 1 fumble (1 lost)
It wasn’t a pretty game for Elijah Moore. While his routes are quarterback-friendly, he just can’t hang on to the ball in traffic. Nine targets is excellent but catching just a third of those on top of losing a fumble isn’t a great look.
Cedric Tillman: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 55 yards
A teammate of Dorian Thompson-Robinson in high school, Cedric Tillman has been getting more and more snaps over the last few weeks. This was the best game of his career and should hopefully set him up for more success for the rest of the season.
.@BishopGormanFB connection is picking up!@Ctillman04: 3 tgt, 3 rec, 31 yds pic.twitter.com/FMOkVix5w4
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 26, 2023
Harrison Bryant: 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards, touchdown | 1 carry, 1 fumble (1 lost)
Harrison Bryant caught the short-yardage touchdown but also managed to lose a fumble on the direct-snap formation they have been using him in over the last few weeks.
David Bell: 2 targets
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: 13/22, 134 yards, touchdown, sack, 2 fumbles (1 lost) | 11 carries, 34 yards, touchdown
Russell Wilson didn’t light up the stat sheet but still managed to score twice on what is usually a very stout defense. He did fumble the ball twice, losing one of them, but otherwise looked in control of the offense throughout the entire game. The offensive line did a good job of keeping him upright while Wilson did a good job of extending plays if it went sideways.
🙌 @DangeRussWilson 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/rR62V5WO5j
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 26, 2023
Running Back
Javonte Williams: 18 carries, 65 yards | 6 targets, 3 receptions, 6 yards
24 designed touches is incredibly valuable, but Javonte Williams didn’t reward those touches with a lot of production. The touchdown to his running mate in the backfield would’ve been nice to have under Javonte’s statline.
Samaje Perine: 7 carries, 55 yards, touchdown | 1 target, 1 reception, 11 yards
Samaje Perine slammed in his first touchdown of the year from short yardage as well as ripping off a 24-yarder. While his touches weren’t plentiful, his production was.
First TD of the year for @samajp32! 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/dwNBy8EEEc
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 26, 2023
Jaleel McLaughlin: 2 carries, 4 yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 61 yards
Outside of one big gainer for 31 yards, Courtland Sutton had a rather subpar day. Much like his fellow pass-catchers, as the game went on, game script was not in their favor.
Jerry Jeudy: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Jerry Jeudy has been a polarizing figure for fantasy this season, and this game will be another case in the argument. The Broncos didn’t need to throw the ball.
Marvin Mims Jr.: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 24 yards
With Denver protecting the lead as the game went on, passing was the last thing on their mind which meant negative game-script for Marvin Mims Jr.
Adam Trautman: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards, touchdown
It was his only catch of the game, but it was a doozy for Adam Trautman!:
Vintage Russell Wilson and an incredible catch by TE Adam Trautman for a #Broncos TOUCHDOWN#Broncos: 24#Browns: 12pic.twitter.com/SUglHx7jqC
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 26, 2023
Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 1 target, 1 reception, 13 yards
Thanks for reading!
-Ryan