The Denver Broncos strengthened their grip on an NFL play-off spot as they came from behind to beat the Cleveland Browns 41-32.
Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw for a franchise-record 497 yards and four touchdowns while team-mate Jerry Jeudy had 235 receiving yards against his former team.
But it was not enough as Winston also threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, including Ja’Quan McMillian’s game-clinching score with less than two minutes remaining.
That improved Denver’s record to 8-5 and the Broncos – who have not reached the play-offs since winning the Super Bowl at end of the 2015 season – occupy the seventh and final play-off spot in the AFC Conference.
Cleveland are now 3-9, with Winston having a 2-3 record since the 30-year-old stepped in for injured starter Deshaun Watson.
Monday’s defeat was reminiscent of Winston’s mixed year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. That season he led the NFL in passing yards (5,109) and was second for touchdown passes (33) but also led the league in interceptions (30).
“I know I’m better than this,” he said. “I’m just praying for the Lord to deliver me from pick-sixes. That’s not me.”
Winston threw his first pick-six to Nik Bonitto although David Njoku swiftly claimed his second touchdown for visitors Cleveland to cut the deficit to 21-17 at half-time.
Denver’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix then found Marvin Mims Jr from his own endzone and he ran in a 93-yard touchdown, and on the very next play Winston replied by finding Jeudy for a 70-yard score.
A Nick Chubb touchdown edged the Browns into a 32-31 lead with less than nine minutes remaining, but the Broncos went back in front with a Wil Lutz field goal with 2:54 left, before McMillian’s 44-yard pick-six sealed victory.
