Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns: Key matchup, x-factor, and prediction
By Billy Long
On a three game win streak and with a division lead, the Jacksonville Jaguars look to keep rolling against the Cleveland Browns.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off of a comeback win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and feeling good at 6-3.
On Sunday, the Jaguars travel to Cleveland to take on the winless Browns. At stake is a full one game lead over the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South, as a result of their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday Night.
This the kind of game that would seem like the perfect example of a game Jacksonville would lose in previous seasons. But this year’s team has already proven to be much different, and they know what is on the line in terms of the playing in January.
A preview of the week 11 game:
Key matchup
Jaguars defensive line vs Browns offensive line
On Sunday, the Jaguars defense gets to pin their ears back on a rookie quarterback in DeShone Kizer. Going up against a vaunted Jacksonville secondary, Kizer has already got his work cut out for him. So the Jaguars defensive line getting constant heat on Kizer as well would be a disastrous equation for the Browns.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
- Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
The Jaguars defensive line didn’t record a sack on Philip Rivers last week, so they will be hungry and looking for retribution. The Browns must find some way to limit the likes of Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue getting to their young quarterback, or it is going to be a long day for Cleveland’s offense.
X-Factor
WR Marqise Lee
Marqise Lee has made plays for Jacksonville this season, and that will be even more needed this Sunday. The Jaguars already lost Allen Robinson for the season, and now Allen Hurns is injured from the end of last week’s win over the Chargers. So Lee will be asked to step in and do his best to fill the void. Rookie Dede Westbrook is expected to be activated for the first time this season, but expecting a big debut is asking a lot.
Against the Browns, Lee will be Blake Bortles‘ go-to receiver, and will be crucial on third downs. Stepping in as receiver number one, Lee must be a reliable target and make plays in the open field against the Browns defense.
Prediction
I don’t expect Cleveland to just lay down in this one by any means. They have continued to fight all season, despite a winless record, and that will be true on Sunday. But having said that, the Jaguars are just better in all phases, and with the playoffs in sight they won’t take this game lightly.
The running game gets back on track after a disappointing effort last Sunday, and Bortles goes turnover free and moves the chains with his arm. The defense has shown no signs of letting up, and that won’t change against Cleveland.
The Jaguars bully their way on offense, and the defense gets multiple sacks and a turnover as Jacksonville wins four in a row and gets a one game lead in the AFC South.