RADIO
We're almost through 13 weeks of NFL football. Its been a wild ride for fans of any of the 32 teams and fantasy managers, but it's not quite over yet. There's still one more game to play this week, and it's Monday Night Football.
We'll pray that the game ends up being good, but we'll all watch it anyway, because it's our only choice for a game in the big show that day. It's not like the teams will give up either -- playoff seeding, pride, and fighting for roster spots and to keep coaching jobs will still make things interesting.
So who is playing on MNF, how can the game be viewed, and who should come away with a victory?
The Cleveland Browns will travel to the great state of Colorado for a matchup with the Denver Broncos. It will be a battle of orange on orange. Cleveland is now 3-8 and it's nearly impossible for them to make the playoffs now. Meanwhile, Denver is 7-5 and very much alive in the playoff race.
Denver Broncos Gotta Take Care Business Tomorrow Night pic.twitter.com/DKm8AMlqFF
— Darius Wilkins (@BestKidWilkins) December 2, 2024
They're likely to make it to the postseason unless they stumble mightily, but a loss in this game could severely deflate their confidence. So they'll have plenty to play for.
Who is Going to Win?
Most experts are predicting the Broncos to win. While that's an easy pick to make, some data points suggest things may not be so easy for the rookie. Denver easily has a better roster, featuring a better defense and a great offensive line. But No. 10 isn't perfect, and still has areas he struggles in.
Bo Nix has carved up zone coverages this year, but struggled against man.
Cleveland runs man 3rd most in the NFL.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) November 27, 2024
We just saw Denver absolutely carve up the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12, but the NFL is a very matchup-dependent league. I believe this game will be closer than people expect, as long as Browns quarterback Jameis Winston avoids turning the ball over a lot. Nix's mobility helps him out massively, but the team's lack of a run game hurts.
The rookie QB has excellent rushing ability, and that will be vitally important to his success. But the Browns just upset the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday in Week 12. Winston has the ability to lead an explosive offense, and wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore and tight end David Njoku are a formidable group of pass-catchers.
Late in games, the talent of the depth chart helps tremendously. The Steelers didn't match up well with the Browns since they don't have good receiving options other than WR George Pickens, and none of their other options could separate from man coverage. But Denver has a man-beater in WR Courtland Sutton.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton has more receiving yards in the last 5 games than in any 5-game stretch of his career, and as Bo Nix notes, that production starts in practice. "One thing that I admire about him is he practices every day extremely hard. He's out here practicing like… pic.twitter.com/UgZbw0x9gn
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 30, 2024
He's Nix's favorite target. The game could ultimately hinge on his success. And he should have a solid game. We'll take the Broncos here, but at least we backed up why!
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis
