NFL: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

Turn back the clock to the late 1980s. Dust off the Elway and Kosar jerseys. Break out the Marty Schottenheimer and Dan Reeves sweaters.

That’s the last time these two franchises played a meaningful game against each other. Or so it seems. But that’ll be the case on Sunday in the Mile High City.

The Broncos have won four-straight games, clawing their way out of a 1-5 hole. Now at 5-5, Denver is clearly in the hunt in the AFC.

One of the teams they’re chasing, however, is the Browns. Cleveland has won three in a row to move to 7-3, just a half game back of Baltimore in the AFC North. At the moment, the Browns are in the mix for the No. 1 overall seed in the conference.

Of course, they’ll have to vie for that spot with a backup quarterback. Deshaun Watson is out for the season, leaving the job to Dorian Thompson-Robinson the rest of the way. The rookie QB has struggled, appearing in five games so far this season. He’s completing just 55.0 percent of his passes, has yet to throw a touchdown and has four interceptions.

How are the Browns still winning games? Because they have the best defense in the NFL.

Cleveland is giving up just 243.3 yards and 18.0 points per game. Its three-game winning streak includes a shutout of the Cardinals and a 13-10 win over the Steelers.

The Browns win ugly, but so do the Broncos. Denver hasn’t scored more than 24 points during their winning streak. But its defense has gotten stingy, while also being opportunistic. The Broncos have forced 12 turnovers in the last three games, wins over the Chiefs, Bills and Vikings.

Expect a low-scoring game in this one. It might turn out to be a race to 20 points, as the over/under is only 35.5.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Denver -2.5 (-110)

Russell Wilson is completing 69.0 percent of his passes, has tossed 19 touchdowns and only has four interceptions on the season. The Broncos quarterback has also engineered four game-winning drives in the fourth quarter this year, showing that the clutch gene is still there. Both teams are playing well on defense. Both teams struggle on offense. But Wilson gives Denver a huge advantage at QB, as Dorian Thompson-Robinson is going through rookie trials and tribulations. That’ll be enough for the home team to get the W.

CFB: Ohio State at Michigan

For the first time in five years, Michigan is favored over Ohio State in one of college football’s greatest rivalries. And this time around, it’s ever-so-important. Both teams are currently inside the CFP Top-4, so the outcome will surely have major implications for both teams and likely a school outside the Top-4. Furthermore, the margin between these two teams appears to be razor thin, as the voters and bettors are not in total agreement.

When the line opened, Michigan has been as much as a 6.5-point favorite. Currently, it’s sitting at -3.5, but more movement could take place.

Despite the fact that Jim Harbaugh won’t be on the sidelines, serving the final game of a three-game suspension for the alleged sign-stealing scheme, observers of the Wolverines seem unphased. Clearly, his assistants and players have his back – as evidenced by Michigan’s monster road win over No. 11 Penn State two weeks ago when emotions were at their highest. Last week’s 31-24 win over Maryland was less impressive, but still kept the Wolverines undefeated for this weekend’s showdown.

Ohio State rolls into town on the heels of a 37-3 thumping of Minnesota – who, for what it’s worth, was whipped by Michigan 52-20 earlier in the season – and likely insulted by the fact that the Buckeyes are ranked higher but getting little to no respect for it.

Then again, all the drama can be tossed right out the window, as this is a game that will be played by the country’s best two defenses. It’s quite possible one big play could determine who heads to the Big Ten championship game versus Iowa.

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Ohio State M/L +145

For the record, take the under, as it’s set at an embarrassingly realistic 46.5, as if it were an NFL playoff game. But it’s not, it’s just that both defenses are that good. But that’s not my bet here. I’m taking the Buckeye’s to put an end to the saga that surrounds Michigan. Two weeks ago, the slogan “Michigan Against Everyone” became very prominent. Too prominent, in fact. There’s a lot of truth to that, and while Michigan is playing the “us against the world” card, the world – including everyone associated with college football – doesn’t want this messy situation impacting this year’s CFP final polls. Call me a conspiracy theorist but look for the Buckeyes to settle the score and end the Harbaugh shenanigans.