Broncos vs. Browns: Week 15 Madden Simulation

Second Half

The goal for the second half was for the Denver Broncos to simply run the ball and chew some clock. There is no way they would allow a 25-point lead slip away. They were able to utilize the run game in the first possession of the second half.

A wide open lane in the red zone allowed Phillip Lindsay to easily walk into the end zone, but not without taking a second or two more off the clock. There is no way that Denver would lose this game leading 35-3. But on Cleveland’s first possession of the second half, they were able to drive down the field and get a touchdown of their own.

No reason to panic. Denver was still up and would take a 35-10 lead going into the final quarter. Here is where things get a tad bit dicey.

For some reason, the secondary decided they would just play the fourth quarter on cruise control. After Denver punted the football, Cleveland was able to throw the ball deep to Antonio Callaway for a touchdown. The secondary missed a sure tackle that would have jarred the ball loose as he caught it. Now we sit at 35-17 Broncos.

Still, no need to panic. Denver’s running game was still winding down the clock. They would punt. And Cleveland would find Callaway again. This time on the first play after the punt. Now the lead was 35-24.

Denver needed to get a drive going if they were going to have any shot at keeping the Browns at bay. After recovering an onside kick, Denver was able to melt more clock and did end up with three points as Brandon McManus was true from 49 yards out.

Denver would stretch the lead to 38-24. But once again, coverage was poor and this time Baker Mayfield found Jarvis Landry as he would streak down the field for a 75-yard touchdown of his own.

Trouble is in the air as the Broncos saw their 32-point lead get down to seven. Forcing the Browns to use their timeouts, the Broncos melted as much clock as they could. But they could not get it all the way down to zero. A dagger of a touchdown for Denver fell incomplete as Andre Holmes could not stay in bounds.

Baker Mayfield threw it up for one last chance. The secondary, however, decided to wake up and Jamar Taylor comes up with the interception that puts this crazy game away for good.

There has been a trend in Madden that I have noticed. There will either be a shootout or a low scoring game. This one was quite the shootout. And it was a tale of two halves.

Luckily for the Denver Broncos, they did enough in the first half and towards halfway through the third quarter that made the difference. Just remember, never take your foot off the gas.

If the Broncos win does become the actual result, the Broncos would get back to .500 at 7-7 with a small hope of life left.

Tune in next week as the Denver Broncos go up against the Oakland Raiders.