9 things we learned from the Broncos 29-12 win over Cleveland

The Denver Broncos are officially the hottest team in the NFL.

After a 29-12 whopping of the Cleveland Browns , the Broncos are on a five-game winning streak and squarely in the AFC playoff picture at 6-5. After how this season started, it’s remarkable Denver is in this position.

Here’s what we learned from the Broncos win on Sunday.

What a great showing by Denver’s offensive line To say this was a big challenge for the Broncos offensive line is an understatement. And Denver’s line matched the challenge. Heck, you could say the Broncos line exceeded expectations.

Denver finished with 169 yards rushing on 39 carries for an average of 4.3 yards per rush.

The Broncos also allowed just one sack.

If Denver can run the ball and protect Russell Wilson like it did on Sunday, it will continue to win games.

Wilson is playing winning football We got yet more evidence of vintage Russ on Sunday. And it’s leading to Broncos wins.

Is it anything special? No, but it doesn’t need to be for this team right now. Wilson is doing what the offense and team need to win games with his arm and legs.

Wilson only had 134 yards on 13-for-22 passing and one touchdown. He did have one fumble, but it didn’t impact the game. The one touchdown was a great play by Wilson and a great catch by Adam Trautman.

Wilson also had 11 carries for 34 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown that capped a 15-play drive.

It would be nice to see a few more deep shots, but the way Denver ran the ball on Sunday was what led to the victory.

Broncos running backs are violent runners It is fun to watch Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine run the ball.

Both running backs refuse to go down and that type of effort is contagious throughout the team.

Williams finished with 65 yards on 18 carries and Perine had seven rushes for 55 yards. To add to the mix, Wilson had 34 yards on 11 carries.

Perine and Wilson also had rushing touchdowns. Denver entered Sunday’s game with one rushing touchdown on the season.

Broncos defense continues to force turnovers Denver won the turnover battle yet again, netting three takeaways on Sunday.

In the last four games, the Broncos have 15 takeaways. That’s the most for a Denver defense in a four-game stretch since the 1980s.

Running the ball and creating turnovers is a recipe for continued success.

The Broncos defense also netted a safety.

Run defense could be a problem For some reason, Kevin Stefanski refused to do what was working for the Browns offense. When Cleveland had success on offense, it was because of the running game.

While the defense has been better over this five-game winning streak, Vance Joseph and the Broncos need to get the running defense better.

P.J. Locke stepped up P.J. had 'em on Lock(e).

: FOX pic.twitter.com/3fkbcssrlV

— Denver Broncos November 26, 2023 What a performance by Locke on Sunday.

The Broncos safety finished with seven tackles (five solo), one strip sack (forced fumble) and one pass breakup.

If Locke can consistently play as he did on Sunday, that’s huge for Denver’s defense.

Broncos red zone and third down offense was much better For Denver to keep the winning streak alive, the offense needed to be better in the red zone and on third down against the Browns. Check and check.

The Broncos were 3-for-5 in the red zone and 6 of 14 on third down.

As for Denver’s defense, it held the Browns offense to 1-for-3 in the red zone and 2 of 13 on third down.

That’s how you win games in the NFL.

Nik Bonitto got home The Broncos pass rush has been lacking some over this winning streak, but Bonitto took care of that.

Denver’s edge had 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, two tackles (one solo), one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. If the Broncos get a consistent pass rush, that makes this defense even tougher to beat.

Broncos are in the playoff hunt Denver has now beaten some of the best teams in the AFC over this five-game winning streak. Up next is the Houston Texans next Sunday.

The task doesn’t get any easier, but the Broncos have the belief and the confidence they can beat any team in the NFL right now.

If Denver keeps this streak going next week, the playoffs are in sight.