NFL fans, bettors, and DFS enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting AFC clash on Monday Night Football as the Denver Broncos, led by rookie sensation Bo Nix, take on the Cleveland Browns, featuring veteran quarterback Jameis Winston. This matchup kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Denver has been on a roll with Nix under center, who has developed a strong connection with wide receiver Courtland Sutton and fellow rookie Devaughn Vele. The Broncos, sitting at 7-5, are in a prime position to contend for a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Can they continue their momentum against a struggling Browns team?
Meanwhile, the Browns have experienced their fair share of ups and downs this season. After a rocky start with Deshaun Watson, they have found new life under Winston. Kevin Stefanski’s squad has turned their season around from a dismal 1-6 to a more respectable 3-8, with notable victories over Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Is this the spark they needed to make a late-season push?
Assembling a DFS lineup for this AFC showdown? The Sporting News has you covered with advice, strategy, and key players to consider before submitting your entries. Let’s dive into our optimal lineups for DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft ahead of the Broncos vs. Browns matchup.
Broncos vs. Browns NFL DFS picks: Optimal DraftKings lineup
Before we get into our lineup and strategy, let’s look at the key scoring settings for DraftKings Showdown contests. They feature full-point PPR scoring and provide three-point bonuses for 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 100 receiving yards. The Captain pick costs 1.5 times a player’s original price, but he also gets his point total multiplied by 1.5.
| POS. | PLAYER | TEAM/OPP. | SALARY |
| Captain | Devaughn Vele, WR | Broncos vs. CLE | $9,600 |
| FLEX | Courtland Sutton, WR | Broncos vs. CLE | $10,200 |
| FLEX | Bo Nix, QB | Broncos vs. CLE | $10,000 |
| FLEX | Nick Chubb, RB | Browns at DEN | $9,400 |
| FLEX | Denver D/ST | Broncos vs. CLE | $5,400 |
| FLEX | Wil Lutz, K | Broncos vs. CLE | $5,200 |
Captain: Devaughn Vele, WR, Broncos ($9,600)
Vele has quietly emerged as a solid WR2 for the Broncos, and with Nix’s strong rapport with him, he’s a fantastic choice as our Captain. Over the last three games, Vele has caught 14 of 18 targets for 185 yards and a touchdown. The Browns have allowed the 9th-most DK points to wide receivers this season, making this a smart play.
FLEX 1: Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos ($10,200)
Sutton has been on fire this season, consistently delivering solid performances. Coming off a standout game against the Raiders, where he racked up 97 yards and two touchdowns, he’s a reliable option with a 14.3 DK average. We couldn’t leave him out of our lineup.
FLEX 2: Bo Nix, QB, Broncos ($10,000)
Nix has been impressive, completing 65% of his passes with 16 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He’s a dual-threat quarterback, averaging 25 rushing yards per game. His performance has been pivotal for the Broncos, making him an excellent addition to our lineup.
FLEX 3: Nick Chubb, RB, Browns ($9,400)
Chubb is coming off his best game of the season, where he scored two touchdowns against the Steelers. He’s a crucial player for the Browns, and with the Broncos being average against the run, he could have a big night.
FLEX 4: Denver Broncos D/ST ($5,400)
The Broncos’ defense has been a reliable fantasy option this season, averaging 9.4 DK PPG. With Winston likely to make mistakes, this unit could capitalize on turnovers and potentially score points for our lineup.
FLEX 5: Wil Lutz, K, Broncos ($5,200)
Lutz has been exceptional this season, hitting 24 of 27 field goals. He’s coming off a game where he scored 22 DK points, and with the Broncos’ offense moving the ball, he could have plenty of opportunities to score.
Broncos vs. Browns NFL DFS picks: Optimal FanDuel lineup
For FanDuel single-game tournaments, the scoring settings include half-point PPR and three-point bonuses for significant yardage milestones. The MVP pick multiplies that player’s total by 1.5 without costing 1.5 times their listed salary.
| POS. | PLAYER | TEAM/OPP. | SALARY |
| MVP | Bo Nix, QB | Broncos vs. CLE | $16,500 |
| FLEX | Courtland Sutton, WR | Broncos vs. CLE | $14,000 |
| FLEX | Nick Chubb, RB | Browns at DEN | $13,000 |
| FLEX | Denver D/ST | Broncos vs. CLE | $9,500 |
| FLEX | Jaleel McLaughlin, RB | Broncos vs. CLE | $7,000 |
We carried four players over from our DraftKings lineup, with Nix taking the MVP spot. Quarterbacks hold more value on FanDuel, making Nix a logical choice for maximizing points. McLaughlin adds upside as a budget option, especially given his recent performance.
Broncos vs. Browns NFL DFS picks: Optimal SuperDraft lineup
SuperDraft’s DFS scoring involves point multipliers, making it unique. With half-point PPR and four-point passing touchdowns, it’s essential to mix stud contributors with sleepers who have larger multipliers.
| POS. | PLAYER | GAME | BOOST |
| CHAMP | Courtland Sutton, WR | Broncos vs. CLE | 1.5x |
| SFLEX | Bo Nix, QB | Broncos vs. CLE | 1.05x |
| SFLEX | Nick Chubb, RB | Browns at CLE | 1.1x |
| SFLEX | Devaughn Vele, WR | Browns at CLE | 1.35x |
| SFLEX | Wil Lutz, K | Broncos vs. CLE | 1.5x |
Our SuperDraft lineup features Sutton in the Champion spot, providing a solid boost. We believe this lineup has a good mix of floor and ceiling potential, and we’re hoping for a thrilling game that sees the Broncos come out on top.
As we gear up for this exciting matchup, the anticipation is palpable. Will the Broncos continue their playoff push, or will the Browns pull off an upset? One thing is for sure: Monday Night Football is set to deliver some unforgettable moments!
