DENVER, Colorado – Yes, Browns fans, you are watching a real football team.

You’re watching a team developing mental toughness and confidence when it means the most.

Let’s start at the end: Browns 17, Denver 16.

Can you believe that?

The Browns went into Denver and won. It doesn’t wipe out The Fumble, The Drive and the other agonizing chapters in team history.

But this time, it was the Browns making the big plays when it meant the most.

It was Jabrill Peppers having his best game in two pro seasons.

Interception in the end zone...

Sack on Denver’s final possession...

Hey, Jabrill...the fans really don’t care that you went to Michigan. They just want you to help the Browns win – as you did Saturday night.

Then there was TJ Carrie with a huge interception.

There was Jamie Collins with a sack and some inspired play.

There was a defense ready to deliver the kind of performance that makes you think...well...if everything goes right, dare you think it?

I’ll tell you what the Browns are thinking – PLAYOFFS.

They are now 4-2 under Interim coach Gregg Williams. They are 6-7-1 overall.

The playoffs are still a long shot. But Christmas is coming, so why not dream a bit?

Hey fans, are you feeling Mile High yet?

How about the defense?

Entering the game, the Browns had been sliced and diced when trying to stop the run – ranking No. 31.

And they were facing a Denver team ranked No. 7 when running the ball.

No problem. The Browns held the Broncos to 32 yards on 20 carries.

COMING BACK

The Browns were behind 13-10 late in the third quarter.

Baker Mayfield was looking a bit frazzled, many of his passes fired too hard and high – over the heads of his receivers in the first half.

Mayfield opened the game with confidence and brilliance.

On the first play, he connected with Jarvis Landry for 19 yards.

Two plays later, he unleashed a 31-yard laser that was hauled in by a leaping Breshad Perriman in the end zone.

It was Mayfield’s 20th TD pass of the season.

According to ESPN, the last Browns quarterback to throw 20 TD passes in a season was Derek Anderson...in 2007!

That says a lot about Mayfield. His 20 TD passes also are a franchise record for a Browns rookie QB. But it also shows how deplorable the Cleveland quarterback play has been since Anderson had his Halley’s Comet season of 2007.

Anderson seemed to come out of nowhere to make the Pro Bowl as the Browns were 10-6 in 2007. He never did much after that season, spending most of the next 11 years as a backup for various teams.

TRYING TOO MUCH

But not much happened in the rest of the first half for Mayfield.

He seemed to rush some throws. Many of his passes were overthrown. He also seemed to dismiss some shorter passes to open receivers in favor of throwing to connect for a big gain down field.

Perhaps his emotions were running too high with this game on national TV and the Browns attempting to stay in the playoff race.

He was 7-of-18 passing in the first half, including an interception.

But he settled down after the break. The Browns kept running the ball. The defense stayed strong.

They won UG-LEE!

And that’s beautiful if you want this team to grow into one playing big games in December and January.

They won on the road. They won in a physical, flag-filled, penalty-marred, trash-talking game.

“Last year, this would have been abysmal,” said Peppers. “It’s different now.”

They won because the defense rose up and the offense somehow put up 17 points despite many frustrating moments.

Yes, Browns fans, this is a real team you’re watching – savor every moment.