Coming out of halftime, Browns running back Trent Richardson helped move the offense out to midfield on a pair of tough runs up the middle, picking up 14 and 9 yards.
Cleveland advanced 15 yards with an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Broncos after quarterback Brandon Weeden scrambled and was hit on a slide.
The Browns would not gain another first down on the drive, however, as the Denver defense stuffed Richardson, forced an incompletion and then sacked Weeden on third down.
The sack was credited to linebacker Von Miller — who was held on the play — and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. With another half-sack, Miller will have 17 on the season to tie fellow-edge rusher Dumervil for the most single-season sacks in Broncos history.
After the sack, kicker Phil Dawson converted on a 53-yard field goal to get his team within one possession at 14-6.
Tags: Cleveland Browns, Gameday Coverage, Week 16