A couple weeks ago, the Jaguars’ Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns looked to be one of the team’s trickiest games of the season. It still is, but mainly because of unforeseen circumstances.
The Browns lost starting quarterback Deshaun Watson a couple weeks ago, and then Trevor Lawrence got injured in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Lawrence is suffering from a high ankle sprain, but he’s already practicing in a limited capacity.
Cleveland will be without Watson for the rest of the season, so Jacksonville has to prepare for a different Browns team.
Here are five Browns players who could cause trouble for the Jaguars in Week 14:
WR Amari Cooper
Wide receiver Amari Cooper has been one of the most productive pass catchers in the NFL for years.
Cooper is currently sitting at 50 catches on 91 targets for 799 yards and two touchdowns, putting him on pace for his sixth 1,000-yard season of his career and second in two years with the Browns.
The former Raiders and Cowboys receiver’s production is also backed by his talent. Outside of occasional drops, he’s one of the most consistent, well-rounded receivers in the league.
When he faces Jacksonville (assuming he plays after missing some practices), he’ll face off against a talented cornerback duo in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams that had a rough Week 13.
TE David Njoku
Tight end David Njoku has been one of the best players at his position for a couple seasons. The 6’4, 246-pound tight end is a mismatch against most defensive players, and he’s been one of the mainstays of the Cleveland offense.
Njoku is on pace for a career year, despite Cleveland’s quarterback woes. He has a team-high 53 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns.
Jaguars linebackers Foye Oluokun and Devin Lloyd have the size to slow Njoku, and safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco have the athleticism. It’ll still be a challenge to stifle the tight end.
DE Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett doesn’t just have an argument for the best defensive lineman. He might be the best defensive player in the league. And if he continues his defensive dominance, he could even contend for the MVP award in a weak year for offensive stats.
Garrett didn’t make much of an impact last week while playing through an injury, and it’s uncertain if he will be his former self against the Jaguars. So far this season, Garrett had 13 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Garrett could draw assignments all across the line, so any and all Jaguars offensive linemen should prepare to face the defensive end.
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a tough assignment for opposing offenses. He’s got size and physicality while still being one of the most athletic linebackers in the league.
Owusu-Koramoah has 70 total tackles — six from tying his career-high — 2.5 sacks, two deflected passes and a forced fumble. He could be a perfect matchup for Evan Engram, but the Jaguars tight end has been one of the most consistent players on the team.
CB Denzel Ward
Denzel Ward is another one of the top players at his position on a tough Cleveland defense. Ward has been a consistently great defensive back, and this season is no exception.
He has 29 total tackles, two interceptions and 10 deflected passes. With wide receiver Christian Kirk out for the game, Ward may be able to focus all his attention on stopping Calvin Ridley.
Ward’s Pro Football Focus rating hasn’t been great over the last two seasons, but he has all the skills to be able to give the Jaguars’ receivers a headache.
