Broncos Lose to Browns 17-16, Officially Eliminated from the Playoffs

The Browns beat the Broncos 17-16 on Saturday Night in Denver and the loss dropped the Broncos to 6-8, and it eliminated them from playoff contention. It was the first time the Broncos lost to the Browns since 1990, and the loss will have significant effects on the franchise as a result. Here are my thoughts and observations on the loss...

1) The Broncos held a 13-10 lead in the 4th quarter and were down 17-13 when the key sequence of the game and season occurred. The Broncos faced 4th and 1 from the Browns six yard line with just over five minutes to play in the game. Vance Joseph decided to go for the field goal instead of going for it on 4th down. They made the field goal but the score was at 17-16. The Browns were able to move the ball on the next drive to kill enough time that Denver got the ball back (After a great stop by Adam Gotsis on 4th and 1) with only 1:42 left at their own 27.

2) The final sequence was another disaster as well. The Broncos moved the ball to the 50 with 52 seconds left. They only needed a field goal so 15-20 yards would have put them in FG range. After a spike and two incompletions, Case Keenum was sacked on 4th down and the game was over. The Broncos play calling in that sequence was very suspect and they needed to run better plays to get closer to field goal range.

3) Baker Mayfield was really good in the beginning of the game, and he was really good at the end of the game. He made some big throws early to give them a 7-0 lead, and then he was good late to take the lead. It definitely hurts to see Mayfield win in Denver for the Browns. I hoped he would be a Bronco all offseason.


4) Case Keenum was average at best and his two interceptions were costly. His first interception was in the end zone and killed a potential field goal near the end of the half. His second one was worse. It was with 14:41 left in the 4th quarter and it was near midfield. The Browns scored on their next possession to take the lead for good.

5) Congrats to Von Miller who passed Simon Fletcher on the Broncos all-time sack list.

6) The loss drops to the Broncos to 6-8, and they are eliminated from the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The loss also probably signals the end of the Vance Joseph era, which is probably the best thing that this franchise needs right now. The Broncos are now stuck playing two meaningless games the last two weeks of the season at Oakland and at home against the Chargers.