After dropping two games in a row out west, the Cleveland Browns return home looking for a big win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sitting at 7-5, the Browns still control their own destiny toward a wildcard spot, but a win over the Jaguars puts them firmly in the driver’s seat. As the Jaguars have questions about the health of their quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Browns have an opportunity to capitalize.
The Browns, however, have some quarterback uncertainty of their own entering this matchup. While it is expected that Joe Flacco will start after taking the majority of first-team reps this week, rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has also cleared the concussion protocol. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to name a starting quarterback for this Week 14 showdown.
How does our Browns Wire staff think this game will go? Here are our staff predictions as the Browns look to lock in their eighth win of the season at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday.
Jacob Roach (@roachizm13): Browns over Jaguars
Cleveland sits atop the Wild Card standings after Pittsburgh’s loss on Thursday and they have got to take advantage of that. Trevor Lawrence seems like he will be good to go and if so he will likely be a little limited. Add in the fact that they’ll start a third-string left tackle who is either a left guard or Blake Hance and you like the defense and Myles Garrett’s chances of getting back on track.
The Jaguars struggled against Jake Browning last week and have shown you can move the ball against them. If Flacco starts and takes a step forward with a better deep threat in Marquise Goodwin back I like their chances to give me the Browns 21-13.
Browns Alchemy (@BrownsAlchemy): Browns over Jaguars
The Browns’ offense will bully the Jaguars, as long as they are committed to running the ball out of heavier personnel groupings. The Browns should be able to pass when needed against the Jaguars who are weak at cornerback.
The Browns’ defense should have their way with the Jaguars, who will probably start Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars struggle to run the ball and they’re overly reliant on an underwhelming passing attack. The Browns win an ugly game 16-11.
Tyler Greenawalt (@TyGreen14): Browns over Jaguars
The Cleveland Browns’ Week 14 match against the Jacksonville Jaguars might be the team’s most important game of the season so far. The Browns hold their playoff destiny after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the New England Patriots on Thursday. The Jaguars also lost one key offensive player – wideout Christian Kirk – and could be without quarterback Trevor Lawrence as well.
If the Browns can limit the Jaguars’ offensive opportunities and keep it close, they’ll have a shot to snag the win. But whoever starts at quarterback can’t turn the ball over in critical moments. Expect another low-scoring affair overall and a Browns upset win, 23-16.
Cory Kinnan (@fakecorykinnan): Browns over Jaguars
Let’s make it a clean sweep here.
Trevor Lawrence’s mobility will be hampered if he does play, and he will be playing with a third-string left tackle in front of him. The Jaguars have not been able to run the football offensively this year, which has been the way to attack the potent Cleveland defense. With Denzel Ward prospectively returning on Sunday, the struggling secondary will get a boost as well against Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram, and the other Jaguars’ offensive weapons.
After struggling against a backup quarterback last week, the Jaguars make it two straight against reserve quarterbacks this week as either Joe Flacco or Dorian Thompson-Robinson will play well enough to grease out two touchdowns against the Jacksonville defense.
The Browns win a close one 27-26.
