Improving Browns can make their mark at Mile High

Week 15
Sky Sports Action, 1.20am Saturday night

Denver and Cleveland are both likely to miss out in the AFC playoff race but they should provide an entertaining game on Saturday night.

The teams have fought out some classic contests, including Denver's back-to-back AFC Championship victories in 1986 and 1987, when Broncos quarterback John Elway was making his name and the Browns were left cursing events so notorious they became known simply as The Drive and The Fumble.

For virtually the first time since then, the Browns' medium-term future looks brighter than the Broncos'. After winning just one game in the last two seasons, Cleveland have five victories, a tie and several narrow defeats on their record this time.

They look a team to watch next season and have greatly improved since firing head coach Hue Jackson. Rookies are showing the way on offence, with quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Nick Chubb excelling, and while cornerback Denzel Ward is missing this week, second-season pass-rusher Myles Garrett is a real force.

Denver, blessed by the presence of Elway and Peyton Manning for so long, are struggling to find a quarterback to steer them into the future and Case Keenum is no more than a journeyman.

However, they had been on a solid run with wins over the Chargers, Steelers and Bengals before last week's flop against San Francisco, when they trailed 20-0 at half-time.

The Broncos have some talented rookies of their own, with pass-rusher Bradley Chubb living up to expectations and undrafted running back Phillip Lindsay far exceeding them.

The Browns ended a 25-game losing streak on the road at Cincinnati three weeks ago but ruined their chances of backing that up with a poor first-half display at Houston.

Their offence hasn't looked back since, though, and with Denver missing two injured cornerbacks, the visitors should at least make their presence felt.

Recommendations
Cleveland +2.5
1pt Evens Sky Bet

The lowdown

Venue Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Surface Grass
Weather Cloudy, 11C
Vegas handicap Cleveland +2.5
Vegas points line 45.5

Team news
Cleveland
Cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion) and offensive lineman Austin Corbett (foot) have been ruled out. Centre JC Tretter (ankle) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (biceps) are rated questionable.

Denver
The Broncos have ruled out cornerbacks Chris Harris (fibula) and Isaac Yiadom (shoulder) along with linebacker Shaq Barrett (hip). Defensive end Derek Wolfe (concussion) is rated questionable. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton (quadriceps) and linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) are set to play.

Key stat
The points total has gone under in Denver's last five games.

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