The Denver Broncos are making an unexpected playoff push as they face off against the Cleveland Browns on “Monday Night Football.”

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has been showing significant improvement in recent weeks under coach Sean Payton. He has thrown 16 touchdowns against six interceptions and recently had a standout game with four touchdowns against the Falcons. In Week 12, he added two more touchdowns in a victory over the Raiders, which keeps the Broncos in the AFC playoff race.

On the other hand, the Browns find themselves on the outskirts of the playoff picture, yet quarterback Jameis Winston aims to disrupt their opponents’ hopes over the final weeks of the season. In only four games, Winston has managed to achieve more passing yards and touchdowns than the sidelined Deshaun Watson, showing flashes of life for the Browns’ offense.

Cleveland has only scored more than 20 points in two games this season, both with Winston at the helm. While they may struggle against the Broncos’ top-five defense, surprises can happen, as demonstrated by their recent win against the Steelers.

This matchup promises to be an exciting episode of “MNF,” despite what might appear to be a less-than-thrilling clash on paper.

YSL News Sports will share live updates, highlights, and more from the Week 13 “Monday Night Football” showdown between the Broncos and the Browns below.

Halftime Stats for the Browns

Jameis Winston threw a costly pick-six in the first half, yet overall, he performed well. He led the Browns to accumulate 298 total yards and 16 first downs during the opening half.

Here are the first-half stats for the team’s leaders:

• Winston: 18-of-31 passing, 245 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
• Jerome Ford: 6 carries, 39 yards
• Jerry Jeudy: 5 receptions, 97 yards
• David Njoku: 5 receptions, 32 yards, 2 touchdowns

David Njoku Scores Again as Halftime Approaches

Jameis Winston redeemed himself after the pick-six by leading an impressive 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive just before halftime. He delivered a precise touch pass on a third-and-goal to Njoku, who caught his second touchdown of the game.

The Browns opted for the extra point, narrowing Denver’s lead to 21-17 as the first half was about to end.

Winston’s Critical Error Results in Pick-Six

As the Browns seemed poised to score, Winston made a crucial error. He targeted tight end Jordan Akins, but Nik Bonitto intercepted the pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.

Bonitto now has accumulated 10 sacks and a pick-six this season, contributing to the Broncos leading 21-10 with just over a minute remaining in the half.

Michael Burton Scores on a Power Run

In a throwback play, Coach Sean Payton sent in veteran fullback Michael Burton for a 1-yard touchdown dive. Burton found a clear path behind the offensive line, scoring to give the Broncos the lead. Wil Lutz completed the extra point, making it 14-10 in favor of Denver, assisted by Nix’s crucial completions to Sutton and Adkins earlier in the drive.

What Do Broncos Fans Chant?

Broncos fans have a tradition of chanting “IN-COM-PLETE” to taunt opposing quarterbacks whenever they throw an incomplete pass.

Corey Bojorquez Launches a 63-Yard Punt Following Browns’ Struggles

After nearly achieving a one-play touchdown with a downfield attempt to Jerry Jeudy, Winston’s pass fell short. The Browns then only managed to gain three yards and had to punt. Bojorquez, after an initial 39-yard kick, unleashed a massive 63-yard punt, giving the Broncos the ball at their own 33-yard line with time running down in the first half.

Rodney McLeod Nearly Intercepts Bo Nix, Forces Another Punt

Nix attempted a deep pass on third down but was nearly intercepted by McLeod, who could not secure the catch despite a good jump on the ball. The Broncos then had to punt again, marking their third three-and-out in their first five possessions.

Dustin Hopkins Nails a 45-Yard Field Goal to Put the Browns Ahead

After missing a 47-yard attempt earlier, Hopkins made a successful 45-yarder, concluding a 9-play, 42-yard drive and allowing Cleveland to take their first lead, 10-7.

Bo Nix’s Interception: A Unique Turnover

The first turnover of the night occurred in a peculiar manner when Ward, covering Franklin, deflected Nix’s pass. The deflection popped into the air, and Newsome managed to catch it for the interception.

Ja’Quan McMillian Breaks Up Pass, Leading to Browns’ Punt

The Broncos forced the Browns to punt for the first time on this drive.

Cleveland’s third possession began with the Browns securing a first down through a pass from Jameis Winston to Moore. However, they couldn’t connect on a longer pass attempt, which was intercepted by McMillian.

Corey Bojorquez’s punt only traveled 39 yards due to the thin air in Denver, giving the Broncos decent field position for their next drive.

First Quarter Ends With Broncos and Browns Tied at 7

The Week 13 “Monday Night Football” game is off to a brisk pace, with 212 total yards of offense registered in the first quarter alone.

Jameis Winston has made a strong impression so far, completing 5-of-6 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. In contrast, Bo Nix has been less consistent, managing to complete 5-of-11 passes for 52 yards, but he did help set up the Broncos’ first score.

The Browns had opportunities to score on their first two drives but missed a field goal on the first attempt, which was taken by Dustin Hopkins. His kicking performance is becoming a point of concern, as he has only made 2 of his last 6 field goal attempts.

What Does 5280 Signify on Broncos Helmets?

The number refers to Denver’s elevation, which is 5,280 feet. This 5280 figure is also the basis for the nickname “Mile High” for the Broncos’ stadium, currently named Empower Field at Mile High.

Broncos Go Three-and-Out Once More

On their third offensive drive, Bo Nix’s three passing attempts were all unsuccessful, forcing the Broncos to kick the ball back to the Browns, who are aiming to score on consecutive drives.

David Njoku Responds with a 9-Yard Touchdown

Jameis Winston guided the Browns into the red zone with a 44-yard completion to Elijah Moore, followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Njoku. Dustin Hopkins redeemed himself with the extra point, leveling the score at 7-7.

An interesting tidbit: Winston has made two 44-yard completions on his initial two drives, with the first one going to Jerry Jeudy.

Who is Bo Nix’s Father?

Bo Nix’s father is Patrick Nix, a former quarterback who played at Auburn from 1992 to 1995. Transitioning to coaching after his playing days, he began as a running backs coach at Jacksonville State in 1996.

He later served as the offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech in 2004, where he helped elevate Calvin Johnson to become one of college football’s top receivers, maintaining that role until 2006 before spending two seasons as the same at Miami (FL).

Since 2013, Nix has taken on various head coaching positions in high school football across Alabama, particularly at Phenix City Central most recently.

Javonte Williams Scores With a 1-Yard Touchdown

The Broncos took advantage of the favorable field position after Dustin Hopkins’ failed kick. Bo Nix executed a solid drive, completing passes to Courtland Sutton and Devaughn Vele for valuable yardage.

A notable catch by Vele brought the Broncos to the 1-yard line, setting up Williams to score after a few attempts. Wil Lutz converted the extra point, giving Denver a 7-0 lead.

Why Did the Broncos Trade Jerry Jeudy?

The Broncos traded Jerry Jeudy to regain a draft asset from their first-round pick in 2021 and to provide Jeudy an opportunity for a fresh start. His tenure with the team was marred by inconsistencies and dropped passes, prompting the organization to revamp their receiving corps.

Courtland Sutton remains the leading receiver for the team, while DeVaughn Vele, Marvin Mims, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey have been stepping up to fill Jeudy’s shoes.

Dustin Hopkins’ Performance Stats

Hopkins has converted 15 out of 22 field goals this season, and he missed his first attempt of 47 yards during this game. His recent form has been concerning, converting just 2 of his last 6 attempts over the past three games.

Most of his misses have come from 50 yards and beyond, where he’s only 4-of-8, whereas he stands at 4-of-6 on kicks ranging between 40 and 49 yards.

Dustin Hopkins’ 47-Yard Field Goal Attempt Missed

The Browns started strong offensively with Jameis Winston completing a 44-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy on the very first play. Despite several productive runs, Winston’s third-down attempt towards David Njoku fell short.

With hopes of taking the lead, the Browns called on Hopkins for the field goal, but he missed it to the left. This brings his season total to 15-of-22 on field goal attempts.

Broncos Start the Game with Three-and-Out

The Broncos’ initial drive consisted of two passes followed by a rushed attempt by Javonte Williams on a third-and-3 that was unsuccessful.

They ended up punting the ball to the Browns, who will begin their possession at the 10-yard line after returner Jaelon Darden decided to attempt a return from deep.

Kickoff Time for Broncos vs. Browns

• Game start time: 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT)
• Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

The Broncos will face the Browns, kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Broncos vs. Browns Television Broadcast

• Network: ESPN

ESPN is broadcasting “Monday Night Football,” featuring the seasoned duo of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (analyst), with sideline insights from Lisa Salters.

The “ManningCast” featuring Peyton and Eli Manning won’t be present for this game.

Broncos vs. Browns Predictions and Picks

Here’s what the YSL News Sports staff predicts for the Broncos-Browns “MNF” matchup:

• Lorenzo Reyes: Broncos 28, Browns 13
• Tyler Dragon: Broncos 21, Browns 20
• Richard Morin: Broncos 29, Browns 22
• Jordan Mendoza: Broncos 27, Browns 20

Live Streaming for Broncos vs. Browns

• Live Streaming:  Fubo TV | ESPN+

If you’re cutting the cord and want to watch the game live, Fubo TV is a great option. It includes channels like NBC, CBS, FOX, NFL Network, and ESPN, allowing you to enjoy NFL games for the rest of the season.

Additionally, you can watch the matchup on ESPN+, ESPN’s dedicated streaming service.

Jameis Winston Addresses the Crowd Before ‘Monday Night Football’

Winston’s pre-game talks have captivated NFL fans, particularly since he took over as the starting quarterback for Cleveland following Deshaun Watson’s injury.

Ahead of his Week 13 game against the Broncos, he was quite calm, but he made an effort to echo the famous “Monday Night Football” theme.

Patrick Surtain Shows Support with Travis Hunter Shirt

One of the NFL’s top defensive players is paying tribute to one of college football’s best two-way talents.

Surtain, a star for the Broncos, warmed up for the game against the Browns in a shirt featuring Hunter, a standout wide receiver and cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes under coach Deion Sanders.

Boulder, Colorado, is situated approximately 28 miles from Denver.

Inactives for the Browns vs. Broncos

• S Juan Thornhill
• WR Cedric Tillman
• RB D’Onta Foreman
• CB Chigozie Anusiem
• OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
• DT Sam Kamara
• DE James Houston

Inactives for the Broncos vs. Browns

• QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
• CB Riley Moss
• LB Drew Sanders
• OG Nick Gargiulo
• OT Frank Crum
• DL Eyioma Uwazurike

Odds for Broncos vs. Browns: Spread, Moneyline, Over/Under

The Broncos are the favorites to beat the Browns, per the BetMGM NFL betting odds. Not interested in this game? You can check out expert predictions and top bets for all NFL games this week.

• Point Spread: Broncos (-6.5)
• Moneyline: Broncos (-300); Browns (+240)
• Over/Under: 41.5

Location of Broncos vs. Browns Game

The matchup between the Browns and the Broncos on “Monday Night Football” is taking place at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. This stadium has been in operation since 2001 and replaced the Broncos’ previous home, Mile High Stadium.

Empower Field at Mile High has hosted three AFC Championship Games (in the 2005, 2013, and 2015 seasons) and numerous international soccer matches, including the U.S. men’s national team’s victory over Mexico in the 2021 Concacaf Nations League final.

Weather Forecast for the Browns vs. Broncos Game

Per AccuWeather, the temperature at the time of kickoff is expected to be in the mid-40s with no rain anticipated. By the end of the game, temperatures are projected to drop into the mid- to high-30s at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.

Current Standings in AFC North

The Browns won’t be contending for the AFC North title in 2024, but they have the opportunity to disrupt the playoff aspirations of other teams. Here’s their current standing as they head into “MNF”:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
2. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-8)

Current Standings in AFC West

The Chiefs are leading the division comfortably, but the Broncos are still in the playoff race. Here’s how they rank before “MNF”:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
3. Denver Broncos (7-5)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)

Broncos’ Chances for Playoffs

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Broncos have -154 odds to make it to the playoffs. There’s also a +126 line for them to miss out on the postseason.

These odds imply a 60.6% likelihood of making the playoffs.

NFL Teams with the Most Super Bowl Wins

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers hold the record for the most Super Bowl victories, each with six wins.

Pittsburgh and Dallas have faced each other more often than any other pair in Super Bowl history, with three meetings. Meanwhile, the Broncos have won three Super Bowls from eight appearances, with their latest championship coming in Super Bowl 50 during the 2015 season. The Browns are one of four teams that have never made it to the Super Bowl, having been eliminated by the Broncos in three AFC Championship games in the 1980s—most famously in “The Drive” and “The Fumble.”

Here’s a list of NFL teams with the most Super Bowl titles:

• New England Patriots — 6
• Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
• Dallas Cowboys — 5
• San Francisco 49ers — 5
• Green Bay Packers — 4
• Kansas City Chiefs — 4
• New York Giants — 4