The Browns fell to the Broncos 41-32 in a high-scoring shootout in Denver on Monday Night Football.
QB Jameis Winston set a franchise record for passing yards in a single game with 497, but also threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Browns WR Jerry Jeudy recorded 235 receiving yards in his first game against his former team after being traded in March of 2024, but the Browns were unable to overcome the deficit caused by Winston's turnovers.
Key Moments
Jameis Winston sets Browns franchise record, throws three interceptions in loss
Winston's strong performance led the Browns to a season-high in scoring as he set the franchise record for passing yards in a single game, breaking Josh McCown's previous record of 457, set in 2015.
In addition to his 497 yards, Winston threw four touchdown passes and a successful two-point conversion.
Two of Winston's touchdown passes went to TE David Njoku, who finished with nine receptions for 52 yards and the two scores. Winston also hit Jeudy for a 70-yard touchdown in the third quarter and found RB Nick Chubb in the fourth quarter for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
However, Winston's interceptions came at costly moments for the Browns.
Late in the second quarter, Winston led the Browns to the Broncos 29-yard line before throwing an interception to Broncos LB Nik Bonitto on a pass intended for TE Jordan Akins. Bonitto returned the interception 71 yards for a touchdown.
Winston answered with a touchdown of his own, finding Njoku for a score after leading an 11-play drive in just under 90 seconds to end the first half.
The Browns and Broncos traded punches to start the second half, and the Browns had the ball with under three minutes remaining in the game with a chance to go ahead.
On first down from the Cleveland 42-yard line, Winston missed WR Elijah Moore on a short pass, which CB Ja'Quan McMillian intercepted and returned for a touchdown to put the Broncos up two scores with under two minutes remaining in the game.
Winston kept fighting, leading the Browns to the Denver 2-yard line but threw an interception in the end zone to end the game.
Jerry Jeudy explodes against former team
Jeudy had a career day in his first game against the Broncos since being traded in the offseason. The Browns receiver finished with nine receptions for 235 yards and a touchdown. Jeudy averaged over 26 yards per catch and had three receptions for 35 yards or more.
Jeudy's 235 receiving yards were the most in NFL history by a receiver facing his former team, breaking Terrell Owens' record of 213 yards set against the 49ers in 2008.
On the Browns' first offensive play of the game, Winston found Jeudy in the middle of the field for a 44-yard gain in what would become an explosive night for the five-year player.
On the first play following a Denver touchdown in the third quarter, Jeudy beat his man downfield, providing an easy target for Winston, who connected with the receiver for a 70-yard touchdown.
Defense allows explosive plays, creates two turnovers
The Browns defense, which held the Broncos to 27 points outside of Winston's two pick-sixes, allowed several big plays throughout the game while also creating two turnovers.
The biggest play of the day for the Broncos came in the third quarter, when QB Bo Nix connected with WR Marvin Mims Jr. on a 93-yard touchdown. The Browns had forced the Broncos into a third-and-11 situation, but Nix launched a perfectly-placed ball from his own end zone, which Mims caught in stride on his way to the end zone.
The Browns allowed three passing plays for 20 or more yards and three rushing plays for 10 or more yards, but came away with two interceptions.
CB Denzel Ward played a major role in both turnovers.
In Nix's first interception of the day, Ward broke up a pass intended for WR Troy Franklin after Nix was pressured into passing early by DE Myles Garrett. Ward batted the ball into the air and CB Greg Newsome II caught it for his first interception of the season.
The Browns' second interception came in the fourth quarter. On the first play of the drive, Nix launched a deep ball intended for Mims, but Ward kept up with the speedy receiver to secure his second interception of the season.
Key Stats and Facts
- With his four-touchdown performance, Jameis Winston surpassed 150 career touchdown passes. He now has 152 touchdown passes in his 10-year career.
- Winston broke QB Josh McCown's Browns franchise record with his 497 passing yards performance.
- Jeudy's 235 receiving yards were the most in his career and the most a receiver has ever had against his former team.
Game Highlights
Jerry Jeudy's first catch against his former team went for 44 yards on the Browns' opening drive.
The Browns evened up the score after Jameis Winston found David Njoku in the end zone.
Greg Newsome II's interception was his first of the season and led to a Browns field goal.
Jeudy's 70-yard touchdown grab was a highlight in his 235-receiving yard performance on Monday night.
Scoring Plays
4:13 1Q | CLE 0 DEN 7 | Javonte Williams run short right for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1:09 1Q | CLE 7 DEN 7 | Jameis Winston pass short middle to David Njoku for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8:49 2Q | CLE 10 DEN 7 | Dustin Hopkins 45-yard field goal is GOOD.
4:03 2Q | CLE 10 DEN 14 | Micahel Burton run short right for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
1:38 2Q | CLE 10 DEN 21 | Jameis Winston pass short left intended for Jordan Akins INTERCEPTED by Nik Bonitto. Nik Bonitto returns the interception 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
0:13 2Q | CLE 17 DEN 21 | Jameis Winston pass short right to David Njoku for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10:01 3Q | CLE 17 DEN 28 | Bo Nix pass deep middle to Marvin Mims Jr. for 93-yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9:50 3Q | CLE 25 DEN 28 | Jameis Winston pass deep middle to Jerry Jeudy for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Jameis Winston pass short right to Jerry Jeudy, two-point conversion is GOOD.
1:52 3Q | CLE 25 DEN 31 | Will Lutz 36-yard field goal is GOOD.
8:57 4Q | CLE 32 DEN 31 | Jameis Winston pass short right to Nick Chubb for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1:48 4Q | CLE 32 DEN 41 | Jameis Winston pass short left to Elijah Moore INTERCEPTED by Ja'Quan McMillian. Ja'Quan McMillian returns the interception 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
What it means
The Browns fall to 3-9 on the season and are fourth in the AFC North.
What's next?
The Browns will travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday, Dec. 8 for their Week 14 matchup against the Steelers. The Browns defeated the Steelers 24-19 in Week 12 on Thursday Night Football.
