By The Associated Press’s Pat Graham
DENVER Ja The Denver Broncos defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-32 on Monday night, spoiling career-best efforts by wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and quarterback Jameis Winston. With 1:48 left, Quan McMillian recovered an interception 44 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
While Jeudy had nine receptions for 235 yards, the most by a receiver in NFL history, and a touchdown against his former team, Winston passed for a franchise-record 497 yards and four touchdowns. Every time Jeudy caught the ball during his first four seasons with Denver, he was jeered.
Jeudy stated, “came up short.” You have to figure out how to finish and win.
Two of Winston’s three picks from his incredible night were returned for touchdowns.Late in the second quarter, Nik Bonitto took one 71 yards to the house. Winston became the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for 400 yards or more, with two pick-sixes and four or more touchdown passes.
A stunning long ball from his own end zone was one of Bo Nix’s 294 passing yards, which Marvin Mims Jr. scooped in for a 93-yard score. Nix threw two picks as well.
The Broncos (8-5) are in seventh and last place in the playoffs going into their bye week. According to the NFL, Denver has a 76% chance of qualifying for the postseason. Since winning the Super Bowl during the 2015 season, the team has not participated in the playoffs.
Sean Payton, the coach of the Broncos, stated that although it wasn’t flawless, we managed to finish.
On Monday, December 2, 2024, in Denver, Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston throws an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/AP)AP
Winston broke Josh McCown’s 2015 Browns record of 457 yards against Baltimore. He tossed two touchdowns to tight end David Njokuin and a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jeudy, dropping to 2-3 as a starter for the Browns (3-9) after taking Deshaun Watson’s place due to injury.
When Nix drove the Broncos to the Browns 9, Winston’s 5-yard touchdown strike to Nick Chubb put Cleveland ahead 32–31. After a timeout, Payton decided against going for it on fourth-and-one. With 2:54 left, Wil Lutz made a game-winning 27-yard field goal.
Winston’s throw to Elijah Moore was late, and McMillian jumped the route, but Winston and the Browns still had plenty of time to drive for a winning score. After making the grab and falling to the turf unharmed, he jumped up and ran to the end zone.
Nix remarked of the interception returns, “It was kind of crazy that they did it twice.” I don’t even need to move from where I am sitting on the seats with the heaters. When they save us in that way, it’s quite beneficial for the offense.
After four erratic seasons with Denver, Jeudy, a 2020 first-round pick, was traded to Cleveland this spring.He paused at the goal linebefore falling backwards into the end zone on his long TD catch. He also caught a 2-point conversion to get the Browns within 28-25.
We had a plan going into it in terms of trying to get him open. I thought the plan was solid, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. Jerry executed the plan really well. Got him open. Jameis made some throws. It s hard in the losing effort to feel good about anything.
The play by Jeudy came just 11 seconds after Nix threw a laser from about 4 yards deep in his end zone to Mims at around the 42. Mims caught it in stride, raced to the end zone and jumped into the stands to celebrate.
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian (29) celebrates his 46-yard interception return for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)AP
The Broncos relied on their running game in the first half, with Javonte Williams andMichael Burtonscoring short TDs. It was Burton s second TD of his 10-year career.
The Browns fell to 4-13 in the Mile High City. Dustin Hopkins missed a 47-yard field goal to the left on Cleveland s opening drive.
Nix, who s earned the NFL Rookie of the Week three consecutive times, threw his first interception since Nov. 3. Chased by Myles Garrett, Nix tried to force a pass to Tony Franklin over the middle. Denzel Ward reached in and deflected the ball into the air and it was caught by Greg Newsome II.
Winston and Jeudy got rolling early with a 44-yard completion on the Browns’ first offensive play.
Pregame speech
Winston delivered a fierypregame oration to his teammates, yelling, It s got to come from your heart. I don t care about no Mile High. I care about how the Browns get down.
Injury report
Broncos: WR Jamari Thrash (shoulder) left the game. … CB Denzel Ward (calf) and S Grant Delpit (head) were both off the field on Denver s late drive for the go-ahead field goal.
Broncos: S Brandon Jones suffered a groin injury.
Up next
Browns: At Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Broncos: After a bye, host Indianapolis on Dec. 15.
AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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