Broncos 41-32 Browns (December 2, 2024) Game Recap

DENVER – Jameis Winston had an unforgettable evening – and one to forget.

Ja’Quan McMillian returned an interception 44 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 1:48 left, and Denver erased the best performances of his career from Winston and former Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy as they beat the Cleveland Browns 41-32 on Monday night defeated.

The good thing for Winston: He threw for a franchise record 497 yards and four touchdowns.

The not-so-good: He threw two interceptions that Denver returned for points. The Broncos had three picks for 171 interception return yards against him.

“It was my fault,” Winston said. “I have to play better.”

It was fully reminiscent of his best – and worst – year in 2019 with Tampa Bay, when he led the NFL in yards (5,109) and was second in TD passes (33), but also led the league in picks (30).

“I know I’m better than this,” Winston said. “I just pray that the Lord delivers me from pick-6s. That’s not me. Phenomenal game offensively, I did some great things, but I messed it up.”

Meanwhile, Jeudy had nine catches for 235 yards — the most in NFL history by a receiver against his former team — and a touchdown. Jeudy, who played his first four seasons with Denver, was booed every time he caught the ball.

“They only boo you,” Jeudy said, “when they know there’s something great in you.”

Nik Bonitto intercepted Winston and took it 71 yards to the house late in the second quarter. Winston became the first NFL quarterback to throw for 400 or more yards with four or more TD passes and two pick-6s.

Bo Nix finished the game with 294 yards passing, including a beautiful deep ball from his own end zone Marvin Mims Jr. ran for a 93-yard touchdown. Nix also threw two picks.

The Broncos (8-5) begin their bye week in the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. According to the NFL, Denver has a 76% chance of reaching the postseason. The team has not been to the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl following the 2015 season.

“It wasn’t perfect by any means, but we were able to do it,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “Big games – the game was full of them.”

Winston surpassed the Browns record of 457 passing yards set by Josh McCown against Baltimore in 2015. He threw a 70-yard TD pass to Jeudy and two scores to tight end David Njoku, dropping him to 2/3 as a starter for the Browns (3-9) since replacing the injured Deshaun Watson.

Cleveland led 32-31 on Winston’s 5-yard TD pass to Nick Chubb as Nix drove the Broncos to the Browns’ 9. On fourth-and-1, Payton lined up to try, but changed his mind after a timeout. Wil Lutz hit a 27-yard field goal with 2:54 left.

Winston and the Browns had enough time to score the winning goal, but Winston’s throw to Elijah Moore came too late and McMillian skipped the ball. After the catch, he fell untouched to the turf, stood up and sprinted toward the end zone.

“The fact that they did it twice was kind of crazy,” Nix said of the interception returns. “I sit over there, the benches have heaters there and I don’t even have to move. It’s pretty nice for the offense when they save us like that.”

Jeudy, a first-round draft pick in 2020, was traded to Cleveland this spring after four tumultuous seasons with Denver. He stopped at the goal line before falling backwards into the end zone on his long TD catch. He also scored a 2-point conversion to put the Browns up 28-25.

“We had a plan to open it. I thought the plan was solid,” Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Jerry executed the plan really well. He put him in the lead. Jameis made a few throws. It’s hard to feel good when you lose.”

Jeudy’s play came just 11 seconds after Nix threw a laser to Mims from about 4 yards deep in his end zone at about the 42 mark. Mims caught it brilliantly, ran to the end zone and jumped into the stands to celebrate.

The Broncos relied on their running game in the first half, with Javonte Williams and Michael Burton scores short touchdowns. It was Burton’s second rushing touchdown in his 10-year career.

The Browns lost 4-13 in the Mile High City. Dustin Hopkins missed a 47-yard field goal to left on Cleveland’s opening drive.

Nix, who was named NFL Rookie of the Week three times in a row, threw his first interception since Nov. 3. Pursued by Myles Garrett, Nix tried to force a pass over the middle to Tony Franklin. Denzel Ward reached in and deflected the ball into the air, which was caught by Greg Newsome II.

Winston and Jeudy got rolling early and completed the Browns’ first offensive play of 44 yards.

“This wasn’t supposed to go to me,” Jeudy explained.

Speech before the game

Winston gave a fiery speech to his teammates before the game, shouting, “It has to come from the heart!” I don’t care about a mile high. I care about how the Browns go down.”

Injury report

Broncos: WR Jamari Thrash (shoulder) left the game. … Ward (calf) and S. Grant Delpit (head) were both off the field for Denver’s late go-ahead field goal.

Broncos: S Brandon Jones has suffered a groin injury.

Browns: At Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Broncos: After a bye, they host Indianapolis on December 15th.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Broncos 41-32 Browns (December 2, 2024) Game Recap

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