Broncos Face Tough Battle Against the Browns; Great Rivalries Slated for Turkey Day
Trevor Phipps
The verdict is still not in regarding the 2023 Denver Broncos, but fans recently became more excited and energized after the team won three games in a row.
(We couldn’t report on the Minnesota Vikings outcome due to press deadlines, but all seems to be better in Broncoland).
Even though the game against the Buffalo Bills was a little sloppy, a win is a win. (This Monday Night classic left those, attending the game at our favorite water holes, having to order an extra drink or two to calm their nerves down, including certain members of TMJ. No names will be mentioned to protect the guilty).
With the Broncos recent success, they are now sitting close to the Raiders and Chargers who are all looking to strip the number one spot in the AFC West away from Kansas City. This week, the Broncos try to continue their success when they take on the Cleveland Browns at home on Sunday at 2:05 p.m.
The Broncos have made vast improvements since the season started and it seems like the coaches are finally getting both sides of the ball dialed in. Their victory against the Bills and Chiefs should give them good momentum moving forward.
The Browns have a ruthless defense that is ranked very high in the league. The Broncos offense showed more struggles against the Bills, and they will have to be on their top game this week.
In the end though, I think most Broncos fans knew that the winning streak wouldn’t last forever. Overall, I just don’t think the Broncos offense will be able to produce against the Browns stellar defense.
Prediction: Browns 31, Broncos 17
Thanksgiving Madness and More Football Fun Games
With the Thanksgiving holiday landing this week, NFL action starts on Thursday where three matches will be played during the holiday. At 10:30 a.m., the Green Bay Packers travel to Detroit to take on the Lions, at 2:30 p.m. the game will be the Washington Commanders at the Dallas Cowboys, and then at 6:20 p.m. the match will be the San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks.
All three of the holiday matches this year are division rivalry games so they all should be worth watching. However, the Lions should easily beat the Packers and the Cowboys shouldn’t have a problem dominating the Commanders.
Probably the best game to watch will be at night when the 49ers and Seahawks face off. These two have been neck and neck in the NFC West Division and the winner of this game could be the one that takes the lead for now.
I have liked what I have seen from both teams, but the Seahawks have kind of been up or down. I think the 49ers will continue to impress fans as they work their way out of losing three games in a row and easily win this one.
Then this year for the first year ever, the NFL will have a match on Black Friday. At 1 p.m. Friday the Miami Dolphins take on the New York Jets in New York.
Being a division rivalry match this one could stay close and be worth watching. However, I don’t really think the Jets stand a chance against the Dolphins.
Then on Sunday morning, the best bet is probably to tune into the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cincinnati Bengals match. Both of these teams have looked good at times this season and they compete in the league’s most competitive division.
The Bengals had a rough start to the season but they seem to be getting better. The Steelers should take this one if they can keep up their high level of play.
On Sunday afternoon, those not tuning into the Broncos and Browns match might rather watch the Buffalo Bills at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bills seem to be struggling lately after losing three in a row, but I don’t think they should be counted out just yet.
The Eagles though definitely look like there is a good chance they will return to the Super Bowl this year. But, if the Bills can get dialed in this could be a close one.
However, I do think that the Eagles will end up on top in this one.
AFC West Predictions
On Sunday afternoon another match worth watching will be the Kansas City Chiefs at the Las Vegas Raiders. This division rivalry often gets heated, and you can expect a fair amount of pushing and shoving.
The Raiders have seemed to turn things around a bit after their former head coach Josh McDaniels got axed. The team definitely wants to win and a victory this week would be a great step for them to move towards the number one spot in the AFC West.
But, even though the Broncos beat them, I still think the Chiefs look like a stellar team. And I think it will take more than the Raiders to give them another loss.
Prediction: Chiefs 36, Raiders 22
Then on Sunday night, the Baltimore Ravens travel west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have seemed to be getting better, but I still think they aren’t as good as I and many others thought they would be.
The Ravens on the other hand look like a possible Super Bowl contender this year. It seems like most teams have had trouble beating the Ravens due to their solid play on both sides of the ball.
The Chargers too need to keep winning to be a contender in the AFC West, but I just don’t think it will happen this week.
Prediction: Ravens 42, Chargers 18
