Case Keenum, Browns hold on for narrow victory over Broncos

1 year ago 211

CLEVELAND — Case Keenum stepped successful for Baker Mayfield and made the astir of his archetypal commencement successful 2 years, third-string backmost D’Ernest Johnson rushed for 146 yards and the busted-up Cleveland Browns bushed the Denver Broncos 17-14 connected Thursday night.

Keenum didn’t enactment up awesome stats (21 of 33 for 199 yards), but threw a touchdown walk and did capable — arsenic did Cleveland’s maligned defence — to get the Browns (4-3) a much-needed victory.

They survived without Mayfield, who sat retired with a enarthrosis wounded and could miss much time.

Johnson, playing due to the fact that stars Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were some retired with calf injuries, had the champion crippled of his career. He scored connected a 4-yard tally successful the archetypal fractional and picked 52 connected 7 carries arsenic the Browns chewed up the last 5:17 aft the Broncos pulled wrong three.

Denver backmost Teddy Bridgewater threw a brace of TD passes and gutted it retired portion playing with ft and quadriceps injuries. He finished 23 of 33 for 187 yards with 1 interception.

The Broncos (3-4) dropped their 4th consecutive game, and possibly arsenic importantly, mislaid prima linebacker Von Miller to a little limb injury. The eight-time Pro Bowler missed each of 2020 with a dislodged ankle tendon.

Miller got wounded precocious successful the archetypal fractional erstwhile helium banged legs with teammate Dre’Mont Jones portion rushing Keenum.

Mayfield, who has been playing with a torn labrum, besides has a breached bony successful his non-throwing enarthrosis but believes helium tin proceed to play with it, a idiosyncratic acquainted with the quarterback’s wellness told the Associated Press.

Mayfield hopes the wounded improves capable successful coming days days that helium tin play against Pittsburgh connected Oct. 31, said the idiosyncratic who spoke connected information of anonymity due to the fact that of the sensitivity of the situation.

The fourth-year QB revealed the interruption successful his humerus bony — which runs from his enarthrosis to elbow — to Fox during the network’s pregame show.

Until Mayfield’s ready, Keenum showed helium tin support the Browns going forward.

So did Johnson, an improbable hero.

After Bridgewater’s 8-yard TD walk to Melvin Gordon brought the Broncos wrong 10-7 successful the 3rd quarter, Keenum directed a 13-play, 75-yard thrust helium capped with a 1-yard scoring walk to fullback Johnny Stanton IV.

Keenum made the biggest play connected the drive, converting a fourth-and-3 play with a 5-yard scramble to Denver’s 1.

The 33-year-old, who past started for Washington successful 2019, was excited astir the accidental to play, saying Wednesday helium was “built for this” and Keenum showed he’s much than susceptible of filling in.