Cleveland Browns beat injury-plagued Broncos 17-16
By ARNIE STAPLETON, Associated Press
Dec 15, 2018 10:43 PM CST
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) reacts to sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Denver. The sack was Miller's 98th career sack making him the all-time Denver Broncos leader in sacks. (AP Photo/David...   (Associated Press)

DENVER (AP) — Baker Mayfield capitalized on Denver's depleted cornerback corps and dubious decisions in leading the Cleveland Browns past the Broncos 17-16 on Saturday night, keeping alive their slim hopes of ending the NFL's longest playoff drought.

Mayfield's 2-yard TD toss to Antonio Calloway with just under 12 minutes left provided the winning margin for the Browns (6-7-1). They snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Broncos (6-8).

Improving to 3-28 on the road over the last four seasons, the Browns still have a shot at their first winning season since 2007 and even their first playoff berth since 2002 thanks to their first win over Denver since 1990.

Calloway's touchdown made it 17-13 and came with safety Justin Simmons in coverage because the Broncos were down five cornerbacks.

The Broncos responded with a 13-play drive that ate up more than seven minutes, but coach Vance Joseph inexplicably sent in kicker Brandon McManus for a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-1 from the Cleveland 6 with 4:35 remaining.

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