Breathing easier

It wasn't pretty. It didn't need to be. It produced a victory, something the Browns hadn't experienced since winning their third straight game in Minnesota 18 days ago.

It was a game they had to win. Losing was not an option for a team hauling a two-game losing streak into the second game of a three-game homestand, The margin for error was narrow enough that one slip along the way would have been devastating. It never showed up.

The 17-14 victory over the Denver Broncos Thursday night in a game that lived down to expectations saw both teams play plenty of football between the 20-yard lines, treating the red zone as though it was off limits.

The Cleveland offense, behind the outstanding running of D'Ernest Johnson and strong leadership of quarterback Case Keenum, looked sharp for a major portion of the game while the defense came alive for the first time since Minnesota.

The injury-riddled offense, operating with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and right tackle Jack Conklin in street clothes, shot out to a 10-0 start on their first two possessions of the game and held on because the defense, mainly the secondary, stopped blowing coverages.

A victory is a victory no matter how it is achieved. But this one felt especially good because most of the vibe in the last couple of weeks turned so negative, causing some members of Browns Nation to conjure up thoughts of the first two decades since the resurrection of the franchise.

In a way, it was almost like starting from scratch Thursday night with the offense running a lot of basic plays on the ground and through the air, designed to keep the chains moving and the Broncos' defense on the field. It worked beautifully in the first half when the Browns ran 38 plays to just 16 by Denver.

Nothing fancy. Just grind-it-out football featuring an offensive line that manhandled the Broncos' defensive front, creating nice holes and protecting the second-string quarterback.

Johnson, filling in so beautifully for Chubb one would have thought it was Chubb himself, gulped up 146 yards on just 22 carries and scored the first touchdown of the game as the Browns needed only 2:40 to travel 75 yards in just five plays.

The key play was a beautifully executed middle screen to tight end Austin Hooper that completely fooled the Denver defense. It gained 40 yards on the second play of the drive and set up Johnson, who galloped the next 34 yards, including the final four into the end zone. It was ridiculously easy,

The next possession produced another nice drive, but it was stalled by a Joel Bitonio hold and head coach Kevin Stefanski settled for Chase McLaughlin's 52-yard field goal. McLaughlin's 41-yard attempt with two minutes left in the first half was blocked, but that made no difference because the Cleveland defense was dominant in the first half.

The Broncos ran just 16 plays for 76 yards on four possessions that took a mere 8:49 off the game clock and produced just two first downs. Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was completely baffled by a very active Cleveland defense.

Defensive stats for the first half: A shutout that featured  a trio of three-and-outs, three punts and a pick. The Broncos ran just three plays in Browns territory. The closest they got to the Cleveland goal line in the half was the 31. That drive was ended by free safety John Johnson III, who picked off a poorly thrown ball by Bridgewater in the end zone. It was just the third interception by the Browns this season.

Tha Denver malaise ended quickly at the beginning of the second half when the Broncos, looking like a completely different team, took the opening kickoff and marched 76 yards in 16 plays, Melvin Gordon scoring from nine yards on a Bridgewater pass, breaking a Denzel Ward tackle at the three.

The Browns answered right back and regained the 10-point lead with a 13-play, 75-yarder, Keenum hitting fullback Johnny Stanton IV, all alone in the left flat, from a yard out following a terrific ball fake. 

The Broncos added a little drama with an exhausting 17-play, 80-yard possession, converting four third downs along the way, rookie running back Javonte Williams galloping the final nine yards with a screen pass. .It was a three-point game again with five minutes left in regulation, which automatically triggers angst among Browns fans.

Not this time. The Broncos never saw the football again. The D'Ernest Johnson Show wrapped up the victory in stylish fashion, running the ball seven times in nine snaps, picking up 52 yards and forcing the Broncos to exhaust all their timeouts. They knew he was going to get the football and still couldn't stop him. Sort of like Chubb.

Keenum was the ringmaster, though. He managed a mistake-free game, distributing the football to 10 different receivers. His offensive line was terrific, opening up sizable holes for Johnson, who also displayed his ability to break tackles and gain extra yardage.

Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr.'s sprained ankle held up well and Blake Hance, who moved over to right tackle for Conklin, more than held his own.

Even though the Browns never lost the lead, they had trouble putting the Broncos away. And yet, it was the kind of victory fans can look back and point to as a small turning point in a season where injuries have greatly dictated the club's direction. 

It served as momentary salve following the news Mayfield had suffered a broken bone in his left shoulder in last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. His status for the Pittsburgh Steelers game a week from Sunday will be determined between now and then.