Heroes and Zeros from Broncos’ win over Browns: Samaje Perine breaks Denver’s run game woes in red zone
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Here are the heroes and zeros from the Broncos’ 29-12 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon at Empower Field at Mile High.
Heroes
Denver’s run game: The Broncos had one rushing touchdown through 10 games. Against the Browns, they had two in the first half. Running back Samaje Perine powered into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown in the first quarter. In the second, quarterback Russell Wilson took a zone read for a 2-yard score. The Broncos generated their offensive success through the run game. Denver rushed for 169 yards on 39 carries. Perine had 55 yards on seven carries, while running back Javonte Williams ran the ball 18 times for 65 yards.
Garett Bolles: It’s not easy to face Browns edge rusher and defensive player of the year candidate Myles Garrett. Bolles, the Broncos’ starting left tackle, handled it well. Bolles didn’t allow a sack against Garrett. In general, Denver’s offensive line was solid against the league’s best pass defense, as the unit allowed one sack. And that didn’t come until there was less than three minutes left in the game.
Adam Trautman: Denver’s tight end did his own Courtland Sutton impression in the fourth quarter. The Broncos faced a third down with 13:37 left when Wilson rolled right and threw to the corner of the end zone where Trautman made a diving catch. The play was originally ruled incomplete before reversed to a touchdown after replay revealed that Trautman was able to get his thigh just inside the end zone.
Zeros
Harrison Bryant: For the second straight week, an opponent had a tight end under center. And for the second straight week, the play failed. On the Browns’ second drive of the afternoon, Bryant fumbled the snap and it was recovered by Mike Purcell. Last week, the Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson received a direct snap before tossing the ball to quarterback Josh Dobbs, who fumbled after getting stripped by outside linebacker Baron Browning.
Amari Cooper: The Browns wide receiver watched the game-tying play slip through his figures. After Thompson-Robinson threw a touchdown pass to Bryant, cutting the deficit to 14-12 in the third quarter, Cleveland elected to go for two points. Cooper was wide open in the end zone, but couldn’t maintain control of the ball. The Broncos went on to outscore the Browns, 15-0, after that.
Denver’s third-quarter offense: The Broncos’ third quarter woes continued. Denver was forced to punt on its first drive after Jeudy’s 7-yard reception was short of a first down then Williams was stopped for a loss of three yards. When Denver was able to get into the red zone, the Broncos handed the ball off to Samaje Perine, who was tackled for a 3-yard loss on third down, setting up a field goal.
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