DENVER (AP) — The boos only brought out the best in Jerry Jeudy as he returned to Denver.

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

The explosive Cleveland Browns wideout had an electrifying performance Monday night with nine catches for 235 yards, the most in NFL history by a receiver against his former team. He also had a 70-yard touchdown in a 41-32 loss to the Broncos.

Jeudy, who played his first four seasons with Denver, was taunted every time he caught the ball. He loved all the noise directed at him and sometimes even made gestures to make the crowd even louder.

His only regret? The Browns (3-9) were unable to complete the win as quarterback Jameis Winston threw two pick-sixes with four TD passes and a franchise-high 497 yards before the end.

“Came up short,” Jeudy said. “I have to find a way to finish, find a way to win.”

Jeudy has developed a good rapport with Winston, catching 28 passes in the last four games.

Winston and Jeudy got going early against Denver when they scored a 44-yard completion on the Browns’ first offensive play. Jeudy reminded Broncos fans of his tremendous potential when he caught a deep pass and raced 70 yards for a score. He stopped at the goal line before falling backwards into the end zone to stop the game.

Jeudy, a first-round draft pick in 2020, was traded to Cleveland this spring after an up-and-down tenure in the Mile High City.

“He is phenomenal. “Early in the week, he knew what time it was,” said Winston, who threw three interceptions. “He was hungry, he was prepared, he was ready to come back here and show up and show off.” And he did. It’s unfortunate we didn’t give him that win, but I’m glad he had a career day. I’m glad he did great. He’s a great receiver.”

For Winston, it was a game in which many things went right – and wrong.

Ja’Quan McMillian returned an interception 44 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 1:48 left. Nik Bonitto also intercepted Winston and took it 71 yards to the house End of 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-sixes.

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

The Browns’ plan was to target Jeudy frequently. That’s what they did – 13 times. He averaged 26.1 yards per catch.

“Jerry executed the plan really well,” Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I opened it. Jameis made a few throws. It’s hard to feel good when you lose.”

No matter who lined up against him, even Denver’s star cornerback Pat Surtain II, Jeudy found a way to get open.

“It’s always great to compete against Pat,” said Jeudy, who played with Surtain at Alabama. “He’s a great cornerback in this league, I’ve played against him my whole life. He will always challenge you.”

Jerry said there is no lingering bitterness or animosity toward the Broncos (8-5).

“At the end of the day it’s football. It’s competitive,” Jeudy said. “Everyone has juice when it’s time to play. Everyone wants to be great. Everyone wants to win. That’s all. No problem.”

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