Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Match Analysis: 2024 NFL Season

The Denver Broncos survived a 952-yard aerial assault from Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns to claim a 41-32 victory on December 2, 2024, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, in a Week 13 AFC thriller that featured five interceptions, two pick-sixes, and a franchise-record 497 passing yards by Winston. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the contest, focusing on player stats, game summary, and head-to-head analysis, sourced from verified platforms including ESPN, NFL.com, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, Pro-Football-Reference.com. With an attendance of 76,821 and a game duration of 3 hours and 28 minutes, the win improved Denver’s record to 8-5 (4-2 home) and dropped Cleveland to 3-9 (1-5 away), bolstering the Broncos’ playoff hopes while further dimming the Browns’ postseason prospects. Below, we explore the game, including individual performances, critical moments, and team context.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Football
• League: NFL (National Football League)
• Matchup: Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos Match Player Stats
• Game Covered:
  • Game 1: December 2, 2024
• Series Result: Broncos won the matchup 1–0

Series Overview: Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns, 2024 NFL Season

The Denver Broncos (8-5, 4-2 home) defeated the Cleveland Browns (3-9, 1-5 away) 41-32 on December 2, 2024. Jameis Winston exploded for a Browns franchise-record 497 passing yards and 4 TDs but threw 3 INTs—two returned for touchdowns (71 and 44 yards)—while Bo Nix threw for 294 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. The Browns outgained Denver 552-400 total yards (475 passing, 77 rushing vs. 294 passing, 106 rushing), converting 9-of-19 third downs (47.4%) and 2-of-2 fourth downs (100.0%), but 3 turnovers (all INTs, 2 for TDs) and a missed field goal proved fatal, per ESPN. Denver converted 6-of-13 third downs (46.2%) and scored 21 points off turnovers (including 2 defensive TDs).

Game 1: Denver Broncos 41, Cleveland Browns 32 (December 2, 2024)

Game Summary

The Denver Broncos outdueled the Cleveland Browns 41-32 on December 2, 2024, at Empower Field at Mile High, in a turnover-filled shootout. Both teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter (7-7). Denver pulled ahead in the second with two scores, including a pick-six, while Cleveland added a TD and FG (21-17 at halftime). The Broncos extended the lead in the third with a field goal and another pick-six (31-25 after a Browns two-point conversion). In the fourth, Denver added a field goal and a 1-yard rushing TD by Michael Burton, while Cleveland scored a late TD but fell short. Denver’s 3 interceptions (171 return yards, 2 TDs) and perfect 2-of-2 field goals were decisive, while Cleveland’s 3-22 sack yards lost and missed FG in a high-volume passing attack (58 attempts) sealed their fate.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring

• First Quarter: CLE 7, DEN 7
• Second Quarter: CLE 10, DEN 14 (Halftime: CLE 17, DEN 21)
• Third Quarter: CLE 8, DEN 10 (CLE 25, DEN 31)
• Fourth Quarter: CLE 7, DEN 10 (Final: CLE 32, DEN 41)

Key Player Stats: Denver Broncos

Passing:

• Bo Nix (QB #10): 18/35, 294 YDS, 8.4 AVG, 1 TD, 2 INT, 0-0 SACKS, 37.3 QBR, 65.7 RTG. Nix’s 93-yard TD bomb to Marvin Mims Jr. was a game-changer.
  Team: 18/35, 294 YDS, 8.4 AVG, 1 TD, 2 INT, 0-0 SACKS, 65.7 RTG.

Rushing:

• Jaleel McLaughlin (RB #38): 14 CAR, 84 YDS, 6.0 AVG, 0 TD, 18 LONG.
• Audric Estime (RB #23): 3 CAR, 12 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 0 TD, 8 LONG.
• Marvin Mims Jr. (WR #19): 1 CAR, 4 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 0 TD, 4 LONG.
• Bo Nix (QB #10): 3 CAR, 4 YDS, 1.3 AVG, 0 TD, 6 LONG.
• Michael Burton (FB #20): 1 CAR, 1 YDS, 1.0 AVG, 1 TD, 1 LONG.
• Javonte Williams (RB #33): 4 CAR, 1 YDS, 0.3 AVG, 1 TD, 2 LONG.
  Team: 26 CAR, 106 YDS, 4.1 AVG, 2 TD, 18 LONG.

Receiving:

• Marvin Mims Jr. (WR #19): 3 REC, 105 YDS, 35.0 AVG, 1 TD, 93 LONG, 4 TGTS. Mims’ 93-yard TD catch was the longest of the game.
• Courtland Sutton (WR #14): 6 REC, 102 YDS, 17.0 AVG, 0 TD, 32 LONG, 9 TGTS.
• Troy Franklin (WR #16): 2 REC, 28 YDS, 14.0 AVG, 0 TD, 23 LONG, 5 TGTS.
• Lucas Krull (TE #85): 3 REC, 24 YDS, 8.0 AVG, 0 TD, 12 LONG, 3 TGTS.
• Nate Adkins (TE #45): 1 REC, 16 YDS, 16.0 AVG, 0 TD, 16 LONG, 1 TGT.
• Devaughn Vele (WR #17): 1 REC, 16 YDS, 16.0 AVG, 0 TD, 16 LONG, 4 TGTS.
• Javonte Williams (RB #33): 1 REC, 3 YDS, 3.0 AVG, 0 TD, 3 LONG, 2 TGTS.
• Jaleel McLaughlin (RB #38): 1 REC, 0 YDS, 0.0 AVG, 0 TD, 0 LONG, 2 TGTS.
  Team: 18 REC, 294 YDS, 16.3 AVG, 1 TD, 93 LONG, 31 TGTS.

Fumbles:

• No Fumbles: Denver avoided fumbles lost.
  Team: 0 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.

Defense:

• Levi Wallace (CB #39): 8 TOT, 5 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 1 PD, 0 QB HTS.
• Cody Barton (LB #55): 8 TOT, 5 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 1 PD, 0 QB HTS. Barton had a 56-yard INT return.
• P.J. Locke (S #6): 6 TOT, 5 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD.
• Ja’Quan McMillian (CB #29): 5 TOT, 5 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 4 PD, 0 QB HTS. McMillian had a 44-yard pick-six.
• Justin Strnad (LB #40): 5 TOT, 4 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 1 PD.
• Team: 74 TOT, 46 SOLO, 3 SACKS, 2 TFL, 12 PD, 10 QB HTS, 2 TD (pick-sixes).

Interceptions:

• Nik Bonitto (LB #15): 1 INT, 71 YDS, 1 TD (71-yard pick-six).
• Ja’Quan McMillian (CB #29): 1 INT, 44 YDS, 1 TD (44-yard pick-six).
• Cody Barton (LB #55): 1 INT, 56 YDS, 0 TD.
  Team: 3 INT, 171 YDS, 2 TD.

Kick Returns:

• No Returns: Denver had no kick returns.
  Team: 0 NO, 0 YDS, 0.0 AVG.

Punt Returns:

• Marvin Mims Jr. (WR #19): 1 NO, 10 YDS, 10.0 AVG, 10 LONG, 0 TD.
  Team: 1 NO, 10 YDS, 10.0 AVG, 10 LONG, 0 TD.

Kicking:

• Wil Lutz (#3): 2/2 FG, 100.0%, 36 LONG, 5/5 XP, 11 PTS. Lutz was perfect.
  Team: 2/2 FG, 100.0%, 36 LONG, 5/5 XP, 11 PTS.

Punting:

• Riley Dixon (#9): 5 NO, 256 YDS, 51.2 AVG, 0 TB, 3 In 20, 61 LONG.
  Team: 5 NO, 256 YDS, 51.2 AVG, 0 TB, 3 In 20, 61 LONG.

Inactives: No major inactives reported; full lineup active.

Team Stats: 19 1st Downs (11 passing, 5 rushing, 3 penalty), 6-13 3rd Down (46.2%), 0-0 4th Down, 400 Total Yards, 294 Passing, 18/35 Comp/Att, 8.4 Yards per pass, 2 INT, 106 Rushing, 26 Att, 4.1 Yards per rush, 4-57 Penalties, 2 Turnovers, 27:50 Possession. Denver averaged 6.6 yards per play, 2-4 Red Zone, 2 Defensive/Special Teams TDs.

Key Player Stats: Cleveland Browns

Passing:

• Jameis Winston (QB #5): 34/58, 497 YDS, 8.6 AVG, 4 TD, 3 INT, 3-22 SACKS, 68.3 QBR, 88.1 RTG. Winston’s 497 yards broke the Browns’ single-game record (previously 457 by Bernie Kosar).
  Team: 34/58, 475 YDS, 8.6 AVG, 4 TD, 3 INT, 3-22 SACKS, 88.1 RTG.

Rushing:

• Jerome Ford (RB #34): 9 CAR, 41 YDS, 4.6 AVG, 0 TD, 21 LONG.
• Nick Chubb (RB #24): 9 CAR, 21 YDS, 2.3 AVG, 0 TD, 10 LONG.
• Jameis Winston (QB #5): 3 CAR, 11 YDS, 3.7 AVG, 0 TD, 6 LONG.
• Kadarius Toney (WR #87): 1 CAR, 3 YDS, 3.0 AVG, 0 TD, 3 LONG.
• Elijah Moore (WR #8): 1 CAR, 1 YDS, 1.0 AVG, 0 TD, 1 LONG.
  Team: 23 CAR, 77 YDS, 3.3 AVG, 0 TD, 21 LONG.

Receiving:

• Jerry Jeudy (WR #3): 9 REC, 235 YDS, 26.1 AVG, 1 TD, 70 LONG, 13 TGTS. Jeudy’s 235 yards were a career high against his former team.
• Elijah Moore (WR #8): 8 REC, 111 YDS, 13.9 AVG, 0 TD, 44 LONG, 14 TGTS.
• David Njoku (TE #85): 9 REC, 52 YDS, 5.8 AVG, 2 TD, 13 LONG, 17 TGTS.
• Michael Woods II (WR #81): 3 REC, 43 YDS, 14.3 AVG, 0 TD, 16 LONG, 5 TGTS.
• Nick Chubb (RB #24): 2 REC, 24 YDS, 12.0 AVG, 1 TD, 19 LONG, 2 TGTS.
• Jerome Ford (RB #34): 1 REC, 21 YDS, 21.0 AVG, 0 TD, 21 LONG, 1 TGT.
• Jamari Thrash (WR #80): 2 REC, 11 YDS, 5.5 AVG, 0 TD, 8 LONG, 2 TGTS.
  Team: 34 REC, 497 YDS, 14.6 AVG, 4 TD, 70 LONG, 57 TGTS.

Fumbles:

• No Fumbles: Cleveland avoided fumbles lost.
  Team: 0 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.

Defense:

• Jordan Hicks (LB #58): 12 TOT, 5 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 QB HTS. Hicks led tackles.
• Grant Delpit (S #9): 6 TOT, 5 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD.
• Martin Emerson Jr. (CB #23): 6 TOT, 5 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD.
• Devin Bush (LB #30): 5 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 1 TFL, 0 PD.
• Myles Garrett (DE #95): 4 TOT, 3 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 1 TFL, 0 PD, 1 QB HT.
• Team: 55 TOT, 29 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 4 TFL, 6 PD, 2 QB HTS, 0 TD.

Interceptions:

• Denzel Ward (CB #21): 1 INT, 0 YDS, 0 TD.
• Greg Newsome II (CB #0): 1 INT, -2 YDS, 0 TD.
  Team: 2 INT, -2 YDS, 0 TD.

Kick Returns:

• Jerome Ford (RB #34): 1 NO, 21 YDS, 21.0 AVG, 21 LONG, 0 TD.
  Team: 1 NO, 21 YDS, 21.0 AVG, 21 LONG, 0 TD.

Punt Returns:

• Jaelon Darden (WR #16): 2 NO, 8 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 8 LONG, 0 TD.
  Team: 2 NO, 8 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 8 LONG, 0 TD.

Kicking:

• Dustin Hopkins (#7): 1/2 FG, 50.0%, 45 LONG, 3/3 XP, 6 PTS. Hopkins missed one FG.
  Team: 1/2 FG, 50.0%, 45 LONG, 3/3 XP, 6 PTS.

Punting:

• Corey Bojorquez (#13): 6 NO, 312 YDS, 52.0 AVG, 1 TB, 3 In 20, 63 LONG.
  Team: 6 NO, 312 YDS, 52.0 AVG, 1 TB, 3 In 20, 63 LONG.

Inactives: No major inactives reported; full lineup active.

Team Stats: 28 1st Downs (24 passing, 3 rushing, 1 penalty), 9-19 3rd Down (47.4%), 2-2 4th Down (100.0%), 552 Total Yards, 475 Passing, 34/58 Comp/Att, 7.8 Yards per pass, 3 INT, 77 Rushing, 23 Att, 3.3 Yards per rush, 5-46 Penalties, 3 Turnovers, 32:10 Possession. Browns averaged 6.6 yards per play, 3-4 Red Zone.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (7-7): Both teams traded TDs on opening drives.
• Second Quarter (CLE 10, DEN 14): Denver scored twice (including pick-six); Cleveland added TD and FG.
• Third Quarter (CLE 8, DEN 10): Broncos FG and pick-six; Browns TD + 2-PT.
• Fourth Quarter (CLE 7, DEN 10): Denver FG and 1-yard Burton TD; Cleveland late TD.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Denver’s 41-32 victory marked their 28th win in 39 all-time meetings with the Browns, improving their head-to-head record to 28-11 since 1970. Cleveland’s 552 total yards (475 passing) dominated Denver’s 400 (294 passing), but the Broncos’ 3 INTs (171 return yards, 2 TDs), 3 sacks, and 21 points off turnovers flipped the script. The Browns’ 9-19 third-down conversions (47.4%) and 2-2 fourth downs kept drives alive, but 3 costly INTs and 0 sacks allowed Nix time.

Game Standouts

Denver Broncos:

• Nik Bonitto (LB #15): 71-yard pick-six; 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QB hits. Bonitto’s INT return TD shifted momentum.
• Ja’Quan McMillian (CB #29): 44-yard pick-six; 4 PD. McMillian’s score was the dagger.
• Marvin Mims Jr. (WR #19): 105 yards, 1 TD (93-yard catch). Mims’ bomb highlighted Nix’s deep ball.

Cleveland Browns:

• Jameis Winston (QB #5): 497 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT. Franchise-record yards despite picks.
• Jerry Jeudy (WR #3): 235 yards, 1 TD. Jeudy torched his former team.
• David Njoku (TE #85): 2 TD catches. Njoku’s red-zone scores kept Cleveland close.

Team Performance Context

• Denver Broncos (8-5, 4-2 Home): The defense’s 2 pick-sixes masked offensive struggles (2 INTs); they host the Chargers next.
• Cleveland Browns (3-9, 1-5 Away): Winston’s heroics wasted by turnovers; mathematically eliminated from playoffs, visit Steelers next.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Broncos: No major inactives; full lineup active.
• Browns: No major inactives; full lineup active.

Conclusion

The Denver Broncos defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-32 on December 2, 2024, at Empower Field at Mile High, improving to 8-5. Jameis Winston’s franchise-record 497 passing yards and 4 TDs were overshadowed by 3 INTs (2 for TDs, 171 return yards), while Bo Nix’s 294 yards and Marvin Mims’ 93-yard TD, plus Denver’s opportunistic defense, secured the win. The Browns’ 552 yards couldn’t overcome turnovers. For full highlights and box scores, visit ESPN or NFL.

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