Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST (CBS)
Spread: Broncos by 13
Forecast: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the mid- to upper-40s.
Records: Broncos (11-3; AFC West 5-0); Browns (5-9; AFC North 2-3)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 20, 2009: Broncos 27, Browns 6; Nov. 6, 2008: Broncos 34, Browns 30. Series record: Broncos lead 18-5.
What matters: The stakes are clear-cut for the Broncos: win their next two games and they clinch their first postseason bye since 2005. Both are at home, where the Broncos are 5-1 this year. Denver hasn't lost to any team with a current record worse than 10-4; the Broncos' next two opponents, the Browns and Chiefs, are a combined 7-21.
Cleveland has won three of its previous four games, but two were over hapless Oakland and Kansas City and the other came against the Steelers without QB Ben Roethlisberger. Nevertheless, their schedule is pockmarked with near-upsets, particularly on the road, where five of their six games have been decided by seven points or fewer. Their hopes rest upon keeping Sunday's game close enough to where one play can alter the outcome. The Browns are also playing for the job of head coach Pat Shurmur and an upset Sunday might be what he needs to keep his job under new owner Jimmy Haslam.
Who matters: It's not that the Broncos aren't taking Browns QB Brandon Weeden and their passing game seriously, but everything Denver does defensively will flow from one primary task -- containing RB Trent Richardson.
"From a linebackers' standpoint, he most definitely is (the focal point)," Broncos LB Wesley Woodyard said. "Front seven, we've got to stop the rushing attack. We've got to make sure we shut that down immediately. As soon as they come out, we've got to be the physical group and take it to them.
"You don't score 11 touchdowns by mistake," said CB Champ Bailey. (Richardson has 12 touchdowns, if receptions are included.) "I mean, this guy's a pounder. He'll make you miss. He has the total package."
Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno has also become a complete running back in recent weeks and is going for his third consecutive 100-yard game Sunday. He's averaged 98 yards a start since replacing the injured Willis McGahee in Week 12.
Key matchup: Broncos DE/LB Von Miller and DE Elvis Dumervil vs. Browns OTs Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz. Thomas can take care of one of the Broncos' edge rushers, but not both, and it will be up to Schwartz to keep Weeden's pocket from collapsing on the right side. Miller and Dumervil have combined for 25 sacks this year. When Miller's streak of six consecutive games with at least one sack ended last week, Dumervil stepped up with his first sack in four games. The Browns' offensive line has done a good job keeping Weeden upright, ranking 10th in sack ratio this year.
Injuries of note: RG Chris Kuper didn't practice all week and will likely miss his third-consecutive game with a left ankle injury. Kuper has missed five of the Broncos' past seven games and the first five weeks of the season because of a fractured left forearm. He's also struggled with migraine headaches this week. … FB Chris Gronkowski (hamstring) is questionable after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. … Browns TE Jordan Cameron (concussion), WR Mohamed Massaquoi (knee) and DB Tashaun Gipson (foot) are out and will not make the trip to Denver.
Inside stuff: The defense's focus in this week's practices was on stronger finishes after being outscored 33-6 in the last three fourth quarters, including 14-3 at Baltimore on Sunday, with Ravens TE Dennis Pitta scoring twice. "I don't care what the score is, you don't want to give up plays like that at the end of the game," Bailey said. I remember after the game, the Ravens were talking about how they started late, got going late, and really, it was all about us and what we weren't doing. … If we've got somebody down, we want to make sure they stay down."
Connection: Broncos S Mike Adams spent five seasons (2007-11) with the Browns before leaving in free agency.
Stat you should know: The Broncos have logged a plus-9 turnover margin since the second quarter of the Week 6 comeback at San Diego, and last week finally dragged their turnover margin back to even after two takeaways in Baltimore.
Record watch: Miller is a sack from tying the Broncos' franchise record of 17, set by Dumervil in 2009, and needs a forced fumble to break Dennis Smith's franchise single season mark (six, 1989). … Decker is 77 yards from the first 1,000-yard season of his career. … With a win, the Broncos will extend their streak to 10 games, the second-longest in team history.
Looking ahead: If the Broncos and Patriots win Sunday, Denver must win its regular-season finale against Kansas City to clinch a first-round bye. The only way the regular-season finale is meaningless is if three Week 16 results transpire: the Broncos defeat Cleveland, the Patriots lose to Jacksonville and the Texans defeat the Vikings. This scenario would lock the Broncos into the No. 2 seed.
Prediction: Broncos 31, Browns 13
For up-to-the-minute Broncos updates, follow Andrew Mason on Twitter at @CBSBroncos.
