Russell Wilson, Broncos outlast Browns to win NFL-best fifth-straight game: Can Denver keep this up?

The Denver Broncos knocked off the Cleveland Browns 29-12 at home on Sunday to win their fifth-straight game. Here’s what you need to know:

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson went 13-of-22 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown, adding another on the ground.
Denver running back Samaje Perine rushed for 55 yards and his first rushing touchdown of the season.
Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson exited in the third quarter and was later ruled out with a concussion after throwing for 134 yards and his first career touchdown.
The Broncos improve to 6-5, as Cleveland falls to 7-4.

Broncos answer in red zone

Despite entering Sunday’s matchup with the Browns having won four straight games, the Broncos were growing increasingly frustrated with the state of their red zone offense. Denver scored a touchdown on only one of its five trips against the Minnesota Vikings last week and was tied for 19th in red zone efficiency entering the week.

The Broncos reversed the trend Sunday against arguably the NFL’s best defense, a major reason they were able to extend their NFL-best winning streak to five games. Wilson rushed for one touchdown and threw for another. The veteran quarterback fired an on-the-run throw to tight end Adam Trautman on a third-down play in the fourth quarter that gave Denver the cushion it needed.

Perine also rushed for his first touchdown of the season, giving Denver touchdowns on three of its first four red-zone drives.

Overall, Denver accomplished a number of its offensive goals entering the game. It won the time-of-possession battle and had more rushing attempts and rushing yards than Cleveland. The Browns have rarely lost either side of that equation this season. — Nick Kosmider, Broncos staff writer

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The stretch ahead

When the Broncos dropped to 1-5 following a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, the idea that they would have a winning record before December arrived would have been borderline unthinkable. But here the Broncos are at 6-5, very much alive in the playoff race.

But can this remarkable run keep coming against the daunting schedule to come? Denver plays its next three games on the road, beginning Sunday against the Houston Texans, another AFC playoff contender. Games at the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions follow.

It is just the fourth time in franchise history the Broncos have played three straight road games in December.

Denver probably needs to win at least two of those games to stay well-positioned in a jam-packed postseason scramble. Anything could be possible if the Broncos keep their remarkable takeaway binge going. After forcing three more fumbles Sunday, Denver has forced 15 turnovers in its past four games. That’s the most by the Broncos in a four-game stretch since 1989. — Kosmider

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What went wrong for Cleveland?

This just wasn’t the Browns’ day. The fourth quarter becoming a nightmare complicates matters further than Sunday’s result explains. Cleveland had shown some offensive life, but they lost Thompson-Robinson early in the fourth quarter to a big hit. Then they later lost top wide receiver Amari Cooper to an injury.

The Browns could end up turning to 38-year-old Joe Flacco, who just joined their practice squad last Monday, to lead a playoff push. P.J. Walker finished the game following Thompson-Robinson’s exit, but it’s previously been clear that coach Kevin Stefanski doesn’t have much trust in Walker.

The Browns still have an elite defense that’s capable of dragging them to the playoffs, but just when the rookie-led offense started to look like it was finding at least some confidence, another change is likely necessary. — Zac Jackson, Browns staff writer

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Required reading

(Photo: Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images)