Despite a plethora of injuries across the roster, the Cleveland Browns have defied expectations in 2023.
They head into their Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos with a promising 7-3 record, putting them just one game back of the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North’s top spot.
The good news for the Browns is that they own the 10th-easiest remaining schedule, per Tankathon.
Considering how nearly half of Cleveland’s final seven games is composed of sub-.500 teams, there’s no excuse for Kevin Stefanski’s squad not to be competing for the divisional crown down the stretch.
After a disastrous start to the season, the Broncos have turned things around with four straight wins since Week 7. A big key to Denver’s success during that span has been a strong defense that has only surrendered 17.0 PPG during that stretch.
But while the Broncos have been successful at slowing down their opponents’ attack, the Browns’ defense has been one of the best all season long. That’s highlighted by Cleveland holding two of its last three foes to 10 or fewer points.
Additionally, a projected high of 39 degrees for Sunday increases the likelihood of a run-heavy game. Such a scenario suits the Browns, who average the third-most rushing yards NFL-wide.
Although Denver averages the 14th-most ground yards, they were held to just 46 last week against a below-average Minnesota Vikings defense.
The Browns have beefed up their safety room with an 11-year veteran who has more Super Bowl experience than anyone on the roster.
Cleveland signed safety Duron Harmon to their practice squad Wednesday, a move that was likely made as a result of the Browns losing safety Rodney McLeod for the rest of the season due to a biceps injury suffered last Sunday against the Steelers.
Harmon has appeared in an impressive four Super Bowl across his career — all of which were with the Patriots — and has four career interceptions in the postseason.
He’s the second player with Super Bowl experience the Browns have added to their practice squad this week following their signing of quarterback Joe Flacco, the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII.
