Ahead of the Cleveland Browns‘ Week 7 matchup with the Denver Broncos, what would normally be an expected blowout in favor of Cleveland instead figures to be a fiercely competitive battle due to injuries. Though no one wants to see players go down with any sort of ailments, a silver lining for football fans across America is that this Browns-Broncos matchup is going to be hot with anticipation. That's why we've got some bold predictions in mind ahead of Thursday night.
The Browns are 3-3 heading into Week 7 and coming off of a brutal 37-14 loss at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals. The defeat dropped them to 3rd in the AFC North, but surely more worrying is the fact that both stud second-string running back Kareem Hunt and starting QB Baker Mayfield both went down with injuries, and won't be able to play this Thursday. Case Keenum will take Mayfield's place under center, while D'Ernest Johnson figures to take lead rushing duties.
The Broncos are also on a downward trajectory, as they've lost 3 in a row after starting the season with 3 consecutive wins. With both teams desperately in need of a bounceback win, who will come out on top at FirstEnergy Stadium? Here are 4 bold predictions for the contest.
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Cleveland Browns Week 7 Predictions
4. Case Keenum comes out firing with 2 TD drives
Keenum has struggled the last two seasons he's played, but not too long ago he led the Minnesota Vikings to an 11-3 record in 14 games started back in 2017. He went for a TD-INT ratio of better than 3-1, and clearly is capable of leading a team to victory as long as he has capable weapons. That's exactly what the Browns have, with one of the deepest receiver rooms in football and a creative schemer in Kevin Stefanski. Against a Denver defense that just got torched by Derek Carr and the Raiders, Keenum will open the game with 2 consecutive touchdown drives.
3. Myles Garrett steps up with multiple sacks
Garrett's arguably the most physically daunting player in the league, and it seems he's put it all together this year. He leads the NFL in sacks with 8, and has only had one game without any sacks. Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos O-line just gave up 3 sacks to Maxx Crosby (and 5 total), so they're clearly susceptible to one dominant rusher. It's going to be a field day for Myles Garrett and this talented defense.
2. D'Ernest Johnson runs wild for 100 yards
Johnson has a limited track record, but he's a legitimate force in the backfield when given the opportunity. When he had to step into a significant role in a matchup with the Cowboys last season, he torched them for 95 yards on only 13 carries. Now that he'll be given a full workload behind one of the league's best lines, he'll slice and dice his way for a huge 100+ yard performance.
1. Cleveland steals huge win despite injuries
The latest odds have the Browns as three-point favorites, but the Broncos could easily run away with this game due to better health and depth. However, this is a rare opportunity for Case Keenum to prove to the league that he deserves to at least have a backup spot, and he'll lead the Browns to a gaudy point total behind his stellar defense.
PREDICTION: Browns 27, Broncos 20
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