Week 9 Preview: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos and quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns stand with exchanged jerseys after a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos and quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns stand with exchanged jerseys after a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Brandon Allen
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 17: Brandon Allen #2 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on October 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Top Storylines

Flacco Sidelined with Neck Injury; Brandon Allen Takes Over

After what many would conclude as an unsuccessful experiment, the Joe Flacco era is likely over in Denver after Flacco suffered a herniated disk in Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and is expected to miss at least 4-6 weeks.

Even if Flacco were to return from early, it is probably in the best interest of the Broncos to see what the younger guys can do at this point, as it is clear that Joe Flacco is not the future of the Broncos. With Drew Lock not being quite ready yet, enter Brandon Allen, the former Arkansas Razorback taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, and eventually landing onto the Broncos’ roster.

Very little is known about Allen, as he has yet to take a snap in a regular season game. In fact, Flacco is the only of 4 who have ever seen regular season action between himself, Allen, Brett Rypien and Drew Lock. Sunday will be a big test for 27-year old Allen.

Browns Struggling; Mayfield’s Heated Exchange With Reporter

In the midst of Cleveland’s struggles, the focus was all on Baker Mayfield once again after Mayfield got heated during an exchange with a reporter, eventually causing him to get up and walk out. This caused the media that has loved to hate Baker Mayfield to come out in full force once again, something they’ve gotten to do all season due to Baker and the Browns’ struggles.

While Baker Mayfield is their franchise QB and their guy for the future, he is suffering from a slight sophomore slump, on top of a terrible offensive line, and questionable coaching in Freddie Kitchens. On top of that, Mayfield truthfully has not cashed a lot of checks he has written with his mouth thus far.

This week looks to be no different, as Mayfield’s performance on Sunday will dictate the storyline the media creates about him this particular week. So far in 2019, when it comes to the media, it has been open season on Baker Mayfield.