Browns vs. Broncos final score, results: Short-handed Cleveland wins behind Case Keenum, D'Ernest Johnson

Dani Mohr

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Browns vs. Broncos final score, results: Short-handed Cleveland wins behind Case Keenum, D'Ernest Johnson image

Browns backups stepped up and dominated as they led a 17-14 victory over the Broncos on "Thursday Night Football."

Case Keenum and D'Ernest Johnson III, playing in place of injured starters Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb, respectively, helped snap a Browns two-game losing streak. Keenum, making his first start since 2019, completed 21 of 33 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown.

Johnson ended the Browns' 75-yard opening drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown. He recorded 168 total yards (146 rushing) and a touchdown in his first career NFL start. Little-used fullback Johnny Stanton IV caught the scoring pass from Keenum in the third quarter; it was Stanton's first career receiving touchdown.

MORE: Who is D'Ernest Johnson? Meet the Browns' new starting RB after Chubb, Hunt injuries

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After picking up just two first downs in the first 30 minutes, Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos' offense gained momentum in the second half. Bridgewater completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Gordon in the third quarter to get the Broncos on the board and then found Javonte Williams on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to keep Denver alive. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked twice.

The Browns will have time to re-evaluate their many injuries before they face the Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 31. The Broncos will look for redemption that day when return home to face Washington.

Sporting News tracked scoring updates and highlights from Browns vs. Broncos on "Thursday Night Football." Follow for complete results from the NFL Week 7 game at Cleveland's FirstEnergy Stadium.

MORE: Watch NFL games live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Browns vs. Broncos score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Browns 10 0 7 0 17
Broncos 0 0 7 7 14

Browns vs. Broncos live updates, highlights from 'Thursday Night Football'

(All times Eastern)

Final: Browns 17, Broncos 14

11:09 p.m.: Johnson makes consecutive first-down carries to end the game.

11:05 p.m.: Landry makes a catch for the first down, then hobbles to the sideline with an apparent injury.

11:02 p.m.: D'Ernest Johnson makes a first-down carry and is up to 114 rushing yards.

10:52 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, BRONCOS. Bridgewater finds Javonte Williams, who runs it into the end zone for the 10-yard score. The Broncos cut the Browns' lead 17-14 with 5:14 remaining.

10:49 p.m.: Noah Fant appears to make it past the first-down marker on a pass from Bridgewater but the play is reviewed. The call is reversed and it's now fourth-and-inches.

10:45 p.m.: Browns cornerback Denzel Ward goes down and then heads to Cleveland's medical tent.

10:41 p.m.: Bridgewater keeps on a rush to give the Broncos a first down past midfield.

10:38 p.m.: Cleveland is called for its fourth illegal formation penalty of the game during the punt. The Broncos will start from their 20.

10:34 p.m.: Keenum finds Landry for an apparent first down as Landry falls to the sideline. The call is reversed after a Denver challenge, which forces a fourth down.

10:27 p.m.: The Broncos are called for holding as Garrett brings down Bridgewater for the sack. Sam Martin hits a 50-yard punt to give the Browns possession at their 22.

End third quarter: Browns 17, Broncos 7

10:18: TOUCHDOWN, BROWNS. Keenum completes a 1-yard pass to Stanton for the score. The Browns extend their lead 17-7 with 38 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

10:16 p.m.: Cooper brings down Keenum and forces a fourth down. Keenum stays on the field and rushes past the first-down marker, but then fumbles the ball into the end zone. Keenum was ruled down before he lost the ball.

10:13 p.m.: Keenum rushes for a first down to the Denver 13.

10:12 p.m.: Cooper almost brings down Keenum for a sack, but Keenum gets off a pass to Johnson for another first down to Denver's 23.

10:08 p.m.: A 16-yard completion to Anthony Schwartz gives the Browns consecutive first downs. Cleveland is on the Denver 41.

10:05 p.m.: Beckham takes the field and makes consecutive catches to bring the Browns a first down at their 43.

10:03 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, BRONCOS. Bridgewater completes to Gordon, who reaches into the end zone for an 8-yard score. The extra point helps the Broncos cut the Browns' lead to 10-7 with 7:48 remaining in the third quarter.

10 p.m.: Noah Fant makes a catch to give the Broncos a first-and-goal from the Browns' 8.

9:58 p.m.: Bridgewater finds Hinton for a first down to the Browns' 20.

9:56 p.m.: Melvin Gordon picks up 3 to give the Broncos a first down at the 33.

9:55 p.m.: Bridgewater leads the Broncos' offense out to open the second half starting at the Denver 21.

Halftime: Browns 10, Broncos 0

9:36 p.m.: Broncos edge-rusher Von Miller goes down and then limps off the field after an incomplete pass along Cleveland's sideline. Beckham lands on his right shoulder and exits the field for the medical tent.

9:31 p.m.: Broncos go three-and-out again on a 41-second drive and punt it away. The Browns take over from their 20 with a minute remaining in the half.

9:27 p.m.: Harris blocks McLaughlin's 41-yard attempt and prevents Cleveland from extending its lead at the end of the first half.

9:25 p.m.: Beckham slips and stumbles on his route. McLaughlin will come on to attempt a 41-yard field goal.

9:21 p.m.: Shelby Harris brings down Keenum for the sack and a loss of 5 yards.

9:17 p.m.: Keenum finds Bryant for a 15-yard gain on third down.

9:15 p.m.: Keenum finds Felton at the line of scrimmage and Felton then pick up 9 yards.

9:07: p.m. Broncos go three-and-out again and are forced to punt. Felton returns for Cleveland. Keenum will start the drive from the 31.

8:59 p.m.: John Kelly carries for a the first down to the 50.

8:58 p.m.: Browns safety John Johnson III intercepts a pass from Teddy Bridgewater in the end zone to open the second quarter.

End first Quarter: Browns 10, Broncos 0

8:55 p.m.: McKinley brings down Williams for a 1-yard loss to end the first quarter.

8:52 p.m.: Sutton makes a one-handed catch on a throw from Bridgewater to bring the Broncos to the Browns' 32.

8:48 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, BROWNS. McLaughlin nails a 52-yard attempt to extend the Browns' lead. Cleveland leads 10-0 with 3:09 remaining in the first quarter.

8:42 p.m.: Keenum completes to Landry for a first down to push the Browns past midfield.

8:37 p.m.: Keenum finds Landry for the first down after the Browns opened their second drive with a false start penalty.

8:33 p.m.: Sam Martin punts for the Broncos as they go three-and-out on their opening drive. The Browns take over at their 23.

8:27 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, BROWNS. D'Ernest Johnson runs it in from the 4. He ended the drive with three carries for 34 yards. Browns lead 7-0 with 12:20 left in the first quarter.

8:25 p.m.: Keenum will start from the Browns' 35. He opens the drive with a pass to Jarvis Landry.

8:20 p.m.: Broncos call tails and lose the coin toss. Browns elect to receive.

What channel is Browns vs. Broncos on today?

Fox and NFL Network will simulcast "Thursday Night Football" for the rest of the 2021 NFL season. Those two networks will show the game on cable while Amazon Prime will allow users to stream the game.

Most U.S. cable providers carry NFL Network. It also is available via satellite provider DirecTV (channels 212 and 1212) and IPTV providers Verizon FiOS (channels 88 and 588) and Google Fiber (channel 2019).

Meanwhile, viewers in Canada can watch the game on DAZN free with a 30-day trial.

Browns vs. Broncos start time

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 21
  • Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Browns vs. Broncos will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET, the same time as all "Thursday Night Football" contests this season. Pregame coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network and Fox. NFL Network will also air "TNF First Look" on gameday starting at 3 p.m. ET for those eager for the first Week 7 matchup to begin.

Streamers will be able to watch the game via Amazon Prime or by using fuboTV, which comes with a seven-day free trial.

Meanwhile, viewers in Canada can watch the game on DAZN free with a 30-day trial.

Browns remaining schedule 2021

Week Date Opponent Time (ET) Channel
8 Oct. 31 Steelers 1:00 p.m. CBS
9 Nov. 7 @Bengals 1:00 p.m. CBS
10 Nov. 14 @Patriots 1:00 p.m. CBS
11 Nov. 21 Lions 1:00 p.m. Fox
12 Nov. 28 @Ravens 8:20 p.m. NBC
13 — BYE — —
14 Dec. 12 Ravens 1:00 p.m. CBS
15 Dec. 19 Raiders TBD TBD
16 Dec. 25 @Packers 4:30 p.m. Fox, NFL Network
17 Jan. 3 @Steelers 8:15 p.m. ESPN
18 Jan. 9 Bengals 1:00 p.m. CBS

Broncos remaining schedule 2021

Week Date Opponent Time (ET) TV
8 Oct. 31 WFT 4:25 p.m. Fox
9 Nov. 7 @Cowboys 1:00 p.m. Fox
10 Nov. 14 Eagles 4:25 p.m. CBS
11 — BYE — —
12 Nov. 28 Chargers 4:05 p.m. CBS
13 Dec. 5 @Chiefs 1:00 p.m. CBS
14 Dec. 12 Lions 4:05 p.m. Fox
15 Dec. 19 Bengals 4:05 p.m. CBS
16 Dec. 26 @Raiders 4:25 p.m. CBS
17 Jan. 2 @Chargers 4:05 p.m. CBS
18 Jan. 9 Chiefs 4:25 p.m. CBS

Dani Mohr