The NFL’s Week 7 starts with two teams who are struggling as the Denver Broncos (3-3) travel to face the injury-ravaged Cleveland Browns (3-3).
Cleveland will be without at least four major starters on offense as they look to end a two-game losing streak to get back over the .500 mark. Kickoff at Browns Stadium in Cleveland is set for 8:20 p.m. ET and will be televised on FOX and the NFL Network.
Broncos Reeling After Hot Start
After starting the season 3-0, Denver has lost three straight games with losses to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas. In the three defeats, the Broncos’ offense has scored just two first-half touchdowns, and they have trailed at the end of 11 of the 12 quarters.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has a foot and quadriceps injury and is questionable for Thursday’s game. If he cannot play, then Denver will turn the offense over to Drew Lock, who struggled considerably in 2020. Bridgewater was hit 17 times and sacked five times by the Raiders as he threw three interceptions.
Denver running back Melvin Gordon III has 332 yards on the season with two touchdowns and a 4.7 average. Rookie Javonte Williams has 300 carries with one touchdown and a 4.6 average, and he led Denver with 53 yards against Las Vegas.
The Denver defense hasn’t been able to get turnovers this season, with just six overall. They have 39 turnovers in 38 games under Vic Fangio and will be without defensive star Bradley Chubb (ankle) again on Thursday. Linebacker Von Miller will need to wreak havoc on an inexperienced Browns line and backfield to give Denver a chance to win.
Browns Offense Hurting
After a promising 3-1 start, the Browns have seen their offensive stars drop like flies. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry and running back Nick Chubb missed last week’s loss to Arizona. During that game running back Kareem Hunt, quarterback Baker Mayfield and wideout Odell Beckham Jr. all left the game. Hunt is now on the IR, and Mayfield has been ruled out for Thursday.
With Mayfield missing his first start in 54 games, former Broncos quarterback Case Keenum gets his first start since 2019 on Thursday. The 33-year old went 6-10 with Denver and will take on the Broncos without either starting running back. Cleveland may also be without starting tackles Jack Conklin (knee) and Jedrick Wills Jr. (ankle).
With the running backs out, Cleveland will turn to untested D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton. Johnson has three carries for 11 yards in 2021, while Felton doesn’t have a carry this season but did have two receptions for 14 yards last week.
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett leads the NFL with eight sacks this season. Given what the Raiders defense did to the Broncos’ offense last week, the Browns could be in for a big night defensively against either Bridgewater or Lock.
Betting Analysis
- Denver Broncos +2.5 (-110) Money Line +115
- Cleveland Browns -2.5 (-110) Money Line -135
- Total Points: 41 Over -110, Under -110
Both offenses are hurting, and the defenses led by Miller and Garrett will be salivating at the chance to make big plays. Denver’s secondary has given up the big plays throughout the season, but Cleveland doesn’t have the weapons on Thursday to take advantage. Given the short turnaround, look for a low-scoring, ugly game in Cleveland.
Betting Pick: Under 41 points (-110)
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