The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson gives his scouting report for Monday night’s game between the Broncos and Browns and Empower Field at Mile High:

Offense

Talk about consistency. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has been named NFL Rookie of the Week three straight times. Over the past five games, he has thrown 11 touchdown passes to one interception. The 7-5 Broncos will continue to look for the hot hand at running back. Up-and-down Javonte Williams might start, but if he is shaky early Denver might turn more to Jaleel McLaughlin or rookie Audric Estime. The 3-8 Browns started 1-6 with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. But after he was lost for the season with a torn Achilles, Jameis Winston took over and is 2-2 as a starter, with Cleveland beating Baltimore 29-24 and Pittsburgh 24-19. Winston’s favorite target has been Jerry Jeudy, who asked and received a trade last March after four Denver seasons. He has 24 catches for 379 yards in the last four games.

Advantage: Broncos

Defense

The Broncos are ranked No. 2 in the NFL in points allowed and No. 3 in total defense. With a sack late in the 29-19 win at Las Vegas on Nov. 24 that forced a fumble and wrapped up the game, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto became the first Denver player with 10 in a season since 2018. The Broncos lead the NFL with 44 sacks. The Broncos will be without cornerback Riley Moss, out with a knee injury, but Levi Wallace is a capable replacement. Cleveland star defensive end Myles Garrett also has 10 sacks and is coming off having three in the Nov. 21 upset of Pittsburgh. The Browns have had some issues in the secondary and have just two interceptions, but they do have three-time Pro Bowl pick Denzel Ward at cornerback.

Advantage: Broncos

Coaching

Sean Payton has turned the Broncos around after arriving in February 2023. Denver is closing in on its first winning season since going 9-7 in 2016 and making the playoffs for the first time since the Super Bowl-winning season of 2015. Payton has done an impressive job in grooming Nix and in providing support for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who has become a strong candidate to again be a head coach. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski won two awards for Coach of the Year in his previous four seasons but has just one playoff win. The Browns were embarrassed 45-14 in the playoffs last season at Houston and are now on the verge of their third losing season out of the last four under Stefanski.

Advantage: Broncos

Intangibles

The Browns have played much better under Winston, but the wins against Baltimore and Pittsburgh were both at home. In Winston’s only road game as a starter, they suffered an ugly 35-14 loss at New Orleans on Nov. 17. The Browns are 1-4 on the road this season and have lost four straight. The Broncos are fired up to be playing on Monday Night Football at home for the first time since 2020 and for the first time in front of fans since 2018. No fans were allowed at the 2020 game due to government restrictions. Denver has its bye next week, the latest possible one in the NFL. The Broncos, a six-point favorite, must guard against looking too much toward the bye and having a letdown.

Advantage: Broncos