Tweet
Denver Broncos –10.5
Most of the Cleveland Browns are probably not looking forward to their trip to the Rocky Mountains Sunday afternoon. The Browns lost another 4 starters on Monday night and have to take their depleted team on the road into one of the NFL’s toughest houses with a short week of rest/practice. Things have gotten so bad for the Browns they had to sign defensive lineman Felipe Claybrooks and defensive back Ron Israel from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game. They also signed three free agents, kicker Brett Conway, running back Nick Maddox and fullback Josh Mallard. At RB the Browns are left with Jamel White -- who hasn't started since last year -- and rookie Lee Suggs, who has five professional carries to his name.
The Broncos have climbed back into the playoff picture on the shoulders of their star running back Clinton Portis who has been nothing short of spectacular lately. In the Broncos 45-27 win vs. rival KC last week, all Portis did was rush for 218 yards on 28 carries with 5 TDS!!! The Broncos for the third time in four weeks went over 200+ yards rushing. Had Denver managed only 7 more rushing yards in the Nov. 30 victory at Oakland, it would have accomplished that feat in four consecutive games. The Broncos have been getting great play up front with the return of Salaam who had missed two games after knee surgery. Nalen and Neil each have come back strong from micro fracture knee surgeries. The two remaining Super Bowl holdovers on the line are playing so well that one Denver insider rated Neil's performance the best of his career, while nominating Nalen, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, for further postseason honors. They helped boost the Broncos offensive output of 508 yards, 45 points, zero turnovers, no sacks and five touchdowns and a field goal on their first seven possessions.
While there may be allot of individual motivation for some Browns players as their future job status could depend on how well they finish the season, I don’t expect a big team effort in this game. The Broncos are certainly not in a spot for a letdown after already losing this season at home to the da Bears. This will be the Broncos FINAL home game of 2003 win or loose and the crowd is sure to have the atmosphere of a playoff game. At 8-5 and in control of their own playoff destiny I do not think they will let this game get away. Expect Shanahan to have his team ready to perform with allot of intensity in front of a frenzied home crowd looking to build on their momentum for a playoff run. If you are worried about this high number consider this situation that Denver falls into this week. Play On - Any team (DENVER) - out rushing their opponents by 1 or more yards/carry on the season, after gaining 175 or more rushing yards last game. (41-14 74.5%, over the last 5 seasons.) Broncos with Portis literally RUN away in this one. Lay the points.
Most of the Cleveland Browns are probably not looking forward to their trip to the Rocky Mountains Sunday afternoon. The Browns lost another 4 starters on Monday night and have to take their depleted team on the road into one of the NFL’s toughest houses with a short week of rest/practice. Things have gotten so bad for the Browns they had to sign defensive lineman Felipe Claybrooks and defensive back Ron Israel from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game. They also signed three free agents, kicker Brett Conway, running back Nick Maddox and fullback Josh Mallard. At RB the Browns are left with Jamel White -- who hasn't started since last year -- and rookie Lee Suggs, who has five professional carries to his name.
The Broncos have climbed back into the playoff picture on the shoulders of their star running back Clinton Portis who has been nothing short of spectacular lately. In the Broncos 45-27 win vs. rival KC last week, all Portis did was rush for 218 yards on 28 carries with 5 TDS!!! The Broncos for the third time in four weeks went over 200+ yards rushing. Had Denver managed only 7 more rushing yards in the Nov. 30 victory at Oakland, it would have accomplished that feat in four consecutive games. The Broncos have been getting great play up front with the return of Salaam who had missed two games after knee surgery. Nalen and Neil each have come back strong from micro fracture knee surgeries. The two remaining Super Bowl holdovers on the line are playing so well that one Denver insider rated Neil's performance the best of his career, while nominating Nalen, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, for further postseason honors. They helped boost the Broncos offensive output of 508 yards, 45 points, zero turnovers, no sacks and five touchdowns and a field goal on their first seven possessions.
While there may be allot of individual motivation for some Browns players as their future job status could depend on how well they finish the season, I don’t expect a big team effort in this game. The Broncos are certainly not in a spot for a letdown after already losing this season at home to the da Bears. This will be the Broncos FINAL home game of 2003 win or loose and the crowd is sure to have the atmosphere of a playoff game. At 8-5 and in control of their own playoff destiny I do not think they will let this game get away. Expect Shanahan to have his team ready to perform with allot of intensity in front of a frenzied home crowd looking to build on their momentum for a playoff run. If you are worried about this high number consider this situation that Denver falls into this week. Play On - Any team (DENVER) - out rushing their opponents by 1 or more yards/carry on the season, after gaining 175 or more rushing yards last game. (41-14 74.5%, over the last 5 seasons.) Broncos with Portis literally RUN away in this one. Lay the points.