The Broncos outlasted the Cleveland Browns 41-32 in a Monday Night thriller from Mile High moving the Broncos to 8-5 and into that final Wild Card spot in the AFC.
It was a win highlighted by budding young stars for Denver as Bo Nix, despite some struggles throwing two picks, had a pretty decent night going 18/35 for 294 yards and one touchdown as he continued to move himself into the Rookie of the Year conversation. Nix’s night included a 93-yard bomb to second-year player Marvin Mims early in the third quarter.
Secon-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin also had himself a night rushing for 84 yards on 14 carries.
And despite the struggles on defense, there were some young bright spots for the Broncos.
Nik Bonitto was a thorn in the side of the Browns, disrupting the line of scrimmage with a sack and a 71-yard pick-six that gave the Broncos some breathing room in the second half.
Ja’Quan McMillan playing in his third year essentially sealed the win for the Broncos with a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown extending Denver’s lead to nine points.
It’s really been an incredible one-year turnaround for the Broncos after a disastrous 2023 season where they were saddled with a $53-million dead cap hit thanks to that cringeworthy Russell Wilson contract while also parting with veterans like Justin Simmons and Jerry Jeudy. Nonetheless, Denver is getting exactly what they need out of their young players which is always great but especially for the Broncos considering that’s all they have to work with right now thanks to dead cap money. Not to mention, if Bo Nix is in the Rookie of the Year conversation, which he undoubtedly should be, can we get Sean Payton into the Coach of the Year conversation as well?
