Browns run game will be a challenge for the Jaguars in week 12

The Cleveland Browns have one of the best running back tandems in the NFL, if not the best.

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are a dominating force for the Browns offense and will keep the Jaguars on their tippy-toes at all times on Sunday (Nov. 29). The Jaguars defense is 9th in the league with total rushing yards allowed. Their defensive line has stepped up in recent weeks but they must find a way to stuff the run game against Cleveland.

Nick Chubb is a force to be reckoned with

The Browns drafted Nick Chubb out of Georgia with the 35th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He originally sat behind Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson Jr. but very quickly became the starter in Cleveland after Hyde was traded to Jacksonville.

Chubb made an immediate impact for Cleveland. In just his fourth game as a pro, he rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on THREE carries.

Through two and a half seasons, Chubb has rushed for 3,065 yards, 21 touchdowns, and has averaged 5.2 yards per attempt. Even after missing four games this year, Chubb is 14th in rushing among running backs in the league.

Kareem Hunt takes the most of second chance

Kareem Hunt also had an incredible start to his NFL career but it was with the Kansas City Chiefs. In his rookie season, he rushed for 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per attempt. He was elected to the Pro Bowl that year and named to Pro Football Writer’s All-Rookie Team and named as their Rookie of the Year.

Unfortunately, halfway through his sophomore year, Hunt was released from the Chiefs after he was caught on tape physically assaulting a woman who he claimed called him a racist name. It was unknown whether he would play football again but he was never charged with a crime. The Browns decided to take a chance on the free agent and it has paid off well.

Through 10 games this season, Hunt has rushed for 644 yards, four touchdowns, and averages 4.4 yards per attempt. Just before the start of the season, the Browns signed Hunt to a two-year $13.25 million extension.

What it means for the Jaguars defense

While the Jaguars’ defense has allowed a lot of rushing yards per game, they have only allowed one rushing touchdown in each of their last three games since their bye week. At the same time, the Jaguars have dropped nine straight games and don’t have a lot left in them. We’ll see if the defensive line is up for a challenge to stop the Browns’ run game. Even if the team is tanking, these players still have to play for their jobs.