Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns – The Week 2 BT GameBlog

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Broncos (1-0) vs. Browns (0-1)
Sunday, Sep. 20, 2009
INVESCO Field at Mile High
2:15 pm MT CBS
GameBlog starts at 1:45

The Broncos and Browns have an understated hatred for one another, and Denver has won eight straight against their AFC rivals. For much of Cleveland, this game is personal; for most in Denver, it’s business as usual. Let’s keep them in their lamented state, shall we? GO BRONCOS!

Coverage: CBS 4 in Denver will provide the game; check your local CBS affiliate for those outside of Denver or view this NFL TV distribution map. Commentary provided by Bill Macatee and Steve Beuerlein. DIRECTV users check 716; Sirius listeners can find the Broncos feed on 125, Browns feed on 129.

INACTIVES: Denver – QB Brandstater (3rd QB), DE Smith, LB/FB Larsen, NT Baker, WR McKinley, OL Olsen, OL Gorin & WR Lloyd.

Call the National Guard! Cause we’re gonna be killing these guys out there! Also, because Broncos great Shannon Sharpe will be SKYDIVING into the stadium to be inducted into the team’s Ring of Fame. Should be fun.

Warmup music: BM Linx – The Outlaw Jimmy Rose

Weather: Medium winds, 10-15 mph. Sunny 75 degrees. Full weather profile. [Weather.com]

Matchups That Matter

Cheerleaders:

Kaoruko

I already think it’s pretty lame that the Browns don’t have a logo. No cheerleaders, either? What a shame. What a travesty. What a joke. Edge: Denver. Not that Kaoruko would have had any trouble, anyway. Goddamn you half-japanese girls, do it to me every time. Oh, the red-head said to shred the cello, and I’m jello baby.

Coaches:

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McDaniels vs. Mangini

This really is an interesting matchup today. Mangini, the forsaken son, the disowned stepchild of Bill Belichick. McDaniels, the loved one, the adored one, the wearer of the hoodie. I can’t stand the way Mangini does things, though. Very grateful for McD in this case. Edge: Denver.

Quarterbacks:

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Orton vs. Quinn

Long-term, I might have preferred Quinn. But holy crap did he stink it up last week (74.1 passer rating compared to Orton’s 100.7). Edge: Denver.

The Prediction

The Browns are not to be overlooked (for a full scouting report, check here). Their defense is very similar to Denver’s, and they also have a few playmakers. Josh Cribbs scares me. The Broncos should win at home, though. Denver 24, Browns 17.

Throw out your predictions and come back to talk about the game!