The Sports Xchange

CLEVELAND — The top-ranked defense in the NFL was at its best when it had to be on Sunday to keep the Denver Broncos undefeated with a hard-earned 26-23 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Brandon McManus booted a 35-yard field goal with 4:56 remaining in overtime after the Broncos defense sacked quarterback Josh McCown twice on the Browns’ only possession of overtime. McManus also kicked a game-winner for the Broncos in a 23-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.

“It’s extremely disappointing to be on the brink of a heck of a win and not be able to finish it,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said. “It’s a tough deal.”

The lead changed hands twice in the fourth quarter before a 26-yard field goal by Browns kicker Travis Coons with 1:30 to play tied the score, 23-23.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders midway through the fourth quarter one play after the Browns took the lead for the first time after being down 10-0 at halftime.

The Browns scored three touchdowns in the second half and took a 20-16 lead with 8:07 to play on a 35-yard interception return by linebacker Karlos Dansby. Dansby thought his pick would be enough to hold off the Broncos the rest of the day.

The interception was the second of the game thrown by Manning, but just when it seemed all the momentum was with the Browns, the Broncos’ 39-year-old quarterback hooked up with Sanders to temporarily regain the lead for Denver at 23-20. It was the first touchdown by the offense in 26 possessions.

“We’re not playing as well as we’d like, but we’re playing well enough,” Manning said.

What we learned about the Broncos:

1. The Broncos will go as far as their defense carries them. They are 6-0, yet they have yet to score a touchdown in the first quarter this season. The biggest defensive play in their 26-23 overtime victory over the Browns was a 63-yard pic- six by cornerback Aqib Talib in the second quarter for a 10-0 lead. The Broncos, with 14 takeaways in their first five games, had three more Sunday.

2. The Broncos miss outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who was inactive Sunday with a back injury, but Shaquil Barrett is more than an adequate replacement as a starter. Barrett made nine tackles, had 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. His strip sack and fumble recovery set up one of four field goals by Brandon McManus.

3. The Broncos struggled to run the ball in the early part of the season, but they proved playing the Browns that if they stick with it good things can happen. Ronnie Hillman, with 212 rushing yards through five games, rushed for 111 yards on 20 carries vs. the Browns. His running success helped open up the passing game for Denver in the second half.

Etc.:

–LB Shane Ray left the game with a knee injury and did not return. His absence was magnified by linebacker DeMarcus Ware being inactive with a back injury. The Broncos still sacked Josh McCown four times.

–QB Peyton Manning threw three interceptions and posted a passer rating of 53.3, but the Broncos still won the game. He is 7-0 lifetime against the Browns despite throwing 10 interceptions and six touchdown passes in games against them.

–WR Demaryius Thomas had another great day against the Browns with 10 catches for 111 yards. He caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown against them in 2012.