Browns can win even without their stars

On fourth down inside the Denver 10-yard line, Cleveland Browns quarterback Case Keenum was pressured and without a target to throw to.

So Keenum broke over the middle. And with a Denver linebacker in the way, Keenum finished left, dug in from the right and got a first-and-ten one yard short of a touchdown. On the next play, he caught a touchdown pass on play-action to help lead to a 17-14 victory over the Broncos on Thursday night.

Two offseasons ago, the Browns didn’t just sign Keenum to mentor Baker Mayfield. They brought him in with the belief that he could play and sustain Cleveland’s season if needed. With Mayfield out due to a shoulder injury, Keenum was key Thursday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Operating efficiently with a short passing scheme and plenty of trick plays, Keenum snapped the Browns’ streak of two consecutive losses. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 199 yards and the touchdown that happened after the play of the game – his fourth-chance conversion.

“You don’t have to get ready if you stay ready to play,” Keenum noted during the week, “and I’ve been ready since I got here.”

Keenum will have to stay ready.

Cleveland’s quarterback situation was exacerbated by Mayfield’s broken shoulder. He wants to return for the team’s next game on Oct. 31 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But if Mayfield can’t, Keenum proved Thursday that the Browns have another quarterback who can get the results.

A performance to take note: With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt out with calf injuries, running back D’Ernest Johnson did very well in his first career start. Johnson rushed for 34 yards on the opening series, including a 4-yard touchdown run. Johnson finished with 146 yards, the first 100-yard game of his career. Chubb could be back as soon as Oct. 31. But with Hunt expected to be out several weeks, Johnson proved he can hold down Cleveland’s potent ground attack.

Worrying trend: The Browns’ defense dominated much of the game, holding Denver to 76 total yards in the first half. But in the second half, Cleveland’s defense had multiple opportunities to contain Denver’s mediocre offense. Instead, the Broncos were able to score in the fourth quarter to keep the game interesting. The Browns still have the talent to field a top-tier defense. But at the halfway point of the season, they still need to improve.

The game in two words: OK. It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but the Browns desperately needed this win to keep their lofty preseason aspirations intact.