On The Mark 10.19.15: #Browns v #Broncos Recap

Rejected Again: Browns Lose To The Broncos In OT, 26-23
By @MarkW2112

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Denver Broncos, 26-23, on what should have been a victory.  Luke McCown threw for 2 touchdowns but also 2 interceptions, one of them a pick 6 to Aqib Talib.  Peyton Manning also threw for a touchdown and 3 interceptions, including 2 interceptions to Karlos Dansby, including a pick 6 of his own.

McCown was rattled by the Broncos #1 rated defense.  He was sacked 4 times, lost a fumble and was harassed almost every time he went back to pass. Gary Barnidge had another big game with both of the touchdowns for the Browns.  Travis Benjamin led all Browns receivers with 117 yards including some great catches. Duke Johnson lead all rushers with 38 yards, Isiah Crowell with 32 and Robert Turbin, with his first action of the year, 27 yards.

Manning fared no better but was seamlessly untouched by the Browns pass rush.  And was good enough when he needed to be, especially on a 75 yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders after the Dansby pick 6.  The Broncos run game was helped by Ronnie Hillman who had 111 yards rushing on 20 carries.

The Browns defense, with Dansby in the lead, actually played one of their better games.  While they didn't sack Manning, they were able to keep the Broncos from doing too much damage until the very end of the game when they allowed the Broncos to get in to the 20 yard line to end the game in OT on a 34 yard field goal by Brandon McManus.  The  Broncos defense, on the other hand, was dominant, in McCown's face and keeping the run game for the Browns in tact.  

The biggest play of the game for the Browns was after the Dansby interception.  Instead of going for the extra point, which would have made it 21-16, they went for 2.  They failed on the first attempt but were able to get a second chance after a penalty and failed there as well.  If they would have gone for the extra point they probably would have won the game.

My take:  The Browns always seem to find a way to lose.  Today once again was no exception.  It's a broken record at this point.  Luke McCown had a terrible game.  However, the Broncos have one of the best defenses in the league.  Aqib Talib's interception for a touchdown was the game changer.  On the other hand, Peyton Manning is not the Peyton of old.  But, the old gunslinger did just enough to keep his Broncos undefeated.  And that's what winners do.  The Browns, with clock management issues and sloppy penalties, still have a culture of losing to get out of.  It may take a long time for that to happen.

Player of the game:  Karlos Dansby, who had 2 interceptions including a pick 6 that kept the Browns hopes alive.

Turning Point:  the 2 failed 2 point conversions which, in essence, lost the game for the Browns.

Next game:  facing the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis at 1 PM on Sunday.