The Denver Broncos strengthened their grip on an NFL playoff spot as they came from behind to defeat the Cleveland Browns 41-32.
Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw for a franchise-record 497 yards and four touchdowns, while teammate Jerry Jeudy had 235 receiving yards against his former team.
But that wasn’t enough, as Winston also threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, including Ja’Quan McMillian’s game-clinching score with under two minutes remaining.
That improved Denver’s record to 8-5 and the Broncos – who haven’t reached the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2015 season – occupy the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC Conference.
Cleveland is now 3-9, with Winston having a 2-3 record since the 30-year-old stepped in for injured starter Deshaun Watson.
Monday’s loss was reminiscent of Winston’s mixed year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. That season, he led the NFL in passing yards (5,109) and was second for touchdown passes (33), but also led the league in interceptions (30).
“I know I’m better than this,” he said. “I just pray that the Lord delivers me from pickaxes. I’m not.’
Winston threw his first pick-six to Nik Bonitto, although David Njoku quickly claimed his second touchdown for visitors Cleveland to cut the deficit to 21-17 at halftime.
Denver’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix then found Marvin Mims Jr. from his own endzone and he ran in a 93-yard touchdown, and on the next play Winston answered by finding Jeudy for a 70-yard score.
A Nick Chubb touchdown put the Browns out to a 32-31 lead with less than nine minutes left, but the Broncos went back in front with a Wil Lutz field goal with 2:54 left before McMillian’s 44-yard pick-six sealed the victory.
