Category: Cleveland Browns

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Browns vs. Jaguars, Why Am I Watching?

After Browns game number one, I might be asking this question all season, but it’s the Browns and I’ll always watch. Sunday, Cleveland travels to Everbank Stadium to play Jacksonville at 1:00pm EST. Last week the Jaguars lost to the Dolphins 20-17 on a last second field goal, while the Browns were manhandled by the Cowboys 33-17. The Jaguars are 3-to-3.5-point favorites.

Browns Offense vs. Jaguars Defense

The Browns offense was a disaster against the Cowboys. The play calling, the offense line and the receivers prevented the team from doing anything. Cleveland was in third and seven plus yards 48% of the time. Against a good defense, you can’t live on third down. Head coach Kevin Stefanski gave up on the running game way too early and it was the only bright spot. The Browns need to commit to the run and stick to it. Cleveland will need to get in a rhythm with the short passing game to allow Watson to feel comfortable in the pocket. I expect left tackle James Hudson to start again, but on Thursday right tackle Jack Conklin practiced with the first team at left tackle. Jacksonville’s defense line is very good. Davon Hamilton, Arik Armstead, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker can get after the quarterback, but do it without bringing pressure. Their linebackers are also great tacklers and move sideline to sideline very well. Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd were number one and two in tackles against Miami. The Jaguar secondary is a weakness and will be without their best cornerback Tyson Campbell who was placed on IR Thursday. He’ll probably be replaced by Montaric Brown or rookie De’Antre Prince. Prince allowed a QBR of 117 against Miami. Their other corner, Ronald Darby, when targeted, gave up five of six passes and allowed a perfect passer rating of 158.2. Against the Dolphins, the secondary allowed 338 passing yards and a QBR of 101.They’ll defend the middle of the field and play man coverage with the safeties deep. The Browns have to run the ball, let the short passing game get the offense in rhythm, take advantage of man coverage and have no turnovers.

Browns Defense vs. Jaguars Offense

Jacksonville’s offense has plenty of weapons. Both of their running backs, Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne can take over a game. The Jaguars receivers, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas and Christian Kirk are big and fast. Their tight end Evan Ingram torched the Browns last year. Trevor Lawrence is a very good quarterback but can disappear in games. He was 12 of 21, 162 yards and one touchdown against Miami, but was 3 of 7, 37 yards in the second half. Lawrence is 0-5 in his last five starts. On offense, Jacksonville likes to work out of the spread with four receivers, sometimes using a receiver in one slot and a tight end or running back in the other. The Browns will need to pressure, blitz and contain Lawrence because of his mobility. When pressured he completes 45% of his passes and has thrown six interceptions. When blitzed. he has a QBR of 68. Their offensive line is good, but the weak link is right tackle Anton Harrison, who gave two sacks in the game against Miami. While the Dallas game was a disaster offensively for the Browns, their defense had a pretty good game. They sacked Dak Prescott three times and none over their top three corners (Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, Greg Newsome) allowed a QBR over 90. The Browns must control the run, know where Ingram is at all times and win the turnover battle.

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