Mark Duncan / AP

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler throws against the Browns' defense. Cutler had 447 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in the Broncos' win on Thursday.

Those losses forced the Broncos to use fullback Peyton Hillis as their primary ball carrier, and the rookie from Arkansas came through on Denver’s final scoring drive by blasting his way through the line for a crucial first down on 4th-and-1 at the Cleveland 45.

From there, Cutler completed a 14-yard pass to Graham before catching the Browns off guard with a quarterback draw for 18 yards. After missing Marshall in the end zone on first down, Cutler had his wideout run the same route against cornerback Brandon McDonald for the game-winner.

Earlier, McDonald was burned by Royal for the 93-yard TD, the fourth-longest in Denver history.

The Browns played up Quinn’s pregame introduction, saving him to be the last player to run from the smoke-filled tunnel. He received a huge ovation from Cleveland fans, who despite having a Pro Bowl QB in Anderson, have spent many Sunday afternoons chanting “Bra-dy, Bra-dy” for most of the past two seasons.

Slideshow The '12th' man Check out some wild and crazy NFL fans supporting their teams. NBCSports.com

It was a night the 25-year-old Quinn had dreamed of since he was a little kid in Dublin, Ohio. He grew up in the Columbus suburb cheering for the Browns and he still has a picture of himself wearing a No. 19 Bernie Kosar jersey.

Quinn’s No. 10 jersey dotted every corner of Browns Stadium and a white bed sheet with “Save Us Brady” hung from the second deck.

But in the end, there was nothing he or anyone else in orange helmets could do to stop Cutler.

Notes: Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Torain’s sprained knee “doesn’t look good.” ... The Browns honored their 1947, 1948 and 1949 teams from the All-American Football Conference at halftime. One of those on hand was former Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian, who was thrilled to see Quinn’s coming-out-party. “I picked up a newspaper coming down here yesterday and I saw that Brady Quinn is going to start,” Parseghian said. “I said, ’They’re doing that for me.”’ ... The Browns had a season-high 160 yards rushing. ... Broncos LB Nate Webster came out with a strained left knee in the first quarter and did not return. ... Denver improved to 19-2 against Cleveland since 1974.

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