QB LAPSES: Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw a pair of pick-6s to go with four touchdown passes and a franchise-best 497 yards passing as the Broncos won
AP, DENVER, Colorado
Explosive Cleveland Browns wideout Jerry Jeudy on Monday turned in an electric performance with nine catches for 235 yards — the most in NFL history by a receiver against his former team — and also had a 70-yard touchdown in a 41-32 loss to the Broncos.
The boos only brought out the best in Jeudy as he returned to Denver.
“They only boo you when they know there’s something great in you,” he said after the game.
The Cleveland Browns’ Jerry Jeudy reacts after their NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Monday.
Photo: AFP
Jeudy, who played his first four seasons with Denver, was jeered every time he caught the ball. He loved all the noise directed at him, even motioning at times for the crowd to get even louder.
His only regret was that the Browns (3-9) could not close out the win, as quarterback Jameis Winston threw a pair of pick-6s to go with four TD passes and a franchise-best 497 yards passing.
“Came up short,” Jeudy said. “Got to find a way to finish, find a way to win.”
The Cleveland Browns’ Jerry Jeudy scores during their NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Monday.
Photo: AP
Jeudy has formed quite a connection with Winston, catching 28 passes over their past four games.
Winston and Jeudy got rolling early against Denver with a 44-yard completion on the Browns’ first offensive play. Jeudy reminded Broncos fans of his vast potential when he caught a deep pass and raced 70 yards for a score. He paused at the goal line before falling backward into the end zone to punctuate the play.
Jeudy, a first-round draft pick in 2020, was traded to Cleveland this spring after an up-and-down tenure in Colorado.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston attends a news conference after their NFL game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Colorado, on Monday.
Photo: AP
“He’s phenomenal. Beginning of the week he knew what time it was,” said Winston, who threw three interceptions. “He was hungry, he was prepared, he was ready to get back here and show up and show off. And he did that. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get this win for him, but I’m happy he had a career day. I’m happy he did amazing. He’s an amazing receiver.”
For Winston, it was a game in which many things went right and wrong.
Ja’Quan McMillian returned an interception 44 yards for a game-sealing touchdown with 1 minute, 48 seconds remaining. Nik Bonitto also intercepted Winston and took it 71 yards to the house late in the second quarter. Winston became the first NFL quarterback to throw for 400 or more yards with four or more TD passes and two pick-6s.
The Denver Broncos’ Ja’Quan McMillian returns a interception for a touchdown during their NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Monday.
Photo: Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images
“It was my fault,” Winston said. “I’ve got to play better.”
The plan by the Browns was to target Jeudy often. They did, too — 13 times. He averaged 26.1 yards per catch.
“Jerry executed the plan really well,” Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Got him open. Jameis made some throws. It’s hard in the losing effort to feel good about anything.”
No matter who lined up on him, even star Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II, Jeudy found a way to get open.
“It’s always great going against Pat,” said Jeudy, who played at the University of Alabama with Surtain. “He’s a great corner in this league, been going against him my whole life. He’s always going to give you a challenge.”
Jerry said there’s no lingering bitterness or animosity toward the Broncos (8-5).
“At the end of the day, it’s football. It’s competitive,” he said. “Everybody has juice when it’s time to play. Everybody wants to be great. Everybody wants to win. That’s it. No beef.”
The Broncos (8-5) enter their bye week in the seventh and final playoff spot in the American Football Conference.
Denver have a 76 percent probability of making the post-season, according to the NFL.
The team have not been in the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl in the 2015-2016 season.
