The Cleveland Browns are big road favorites to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars this coming Sunday.
This is a rarity.
Truth be told, both teams have been National Football League laughingstocks over the years. That trend may be coming to an end. Jacksonville has a promising rookie quarterback who could be the answer to the franchise’s woes. While Cleveland’s rookie QB hasn’t yet taken the field for meaningful playing time, the Browns are trending upward, and some NFL analysts see Cleveland -- yes, Cleveland -- as the team to beat in the AFC North.
Browns at Jaguars preview: Different new Browns?
Pessimistic Cleveland football fans can’t help but to recall that “same old Browns” saying heading into each NFL Sunday. The team is flying high following a beat-down of hated division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland seems to have a legitimate pro quarterback in Brian Hoyer, and the club has what are, on paper, back-to-back-to-back winnable games on the schedule.
The same old Browns fall into the trap and lose this game.
Head coach Mike Pettine has consistently vowed to change the losing culture that has infected the franchise. Winning this game would prove that the Browns are not the same team from a year ago that was, for those of you with short memories, also 3-2 five games into its season.
Browns at Jaguars preview: Match-up
The Browns are better than the Jaguars. Cleveland has the advantage in record, in rankings, and in talent.
Jacksonville has the worst rushing attack in the NFL. The Jaguars are responsible for the third-worst pass defense in the league. Its offense has not been lighting it up despite the fact that rookie quarterback Blake Bortles has flashed signs that he will, down the road, be the real deal.
When you go back and examine Jacksonville’s prior games of the campaign, you see a team that could be a contender in the future, a side that hasn’t yet learned how to win. This game is Cleveland’s for the taking. “Any Given Sunday” is not just a saying or a movie title, however, and the Browns are not good enough to look past any opponent.
Browns at Jaguars preview: Cause for concern
It’s not all rosy for Cleveland heading into the Jacksonville contest. The Browns are the walking wounded a third of the way into the season.
Center Alex Mack is out indefinitely after suffering a broken leg. Cornerback Joe Haden is still dealing with a bum hip. K'Waun Williams, who has been a revelation in the Cleveland secondary, will be out due to a concussion. Safety Tashaun Gipson (thigh) could also be limited or sidelined.
Take away last week’s home game against the Steelers, and the pass defense of the Browns has been leaky throughout the campaign. Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker dominated Cleveland with his arm and his legs until a hand injury forced him out of that game early. Bortles is far more mobile than Locker, and he could be in for a big day if the Browns suffer any sort of letdown.
Browns at Jaguars preview: Prediction
It’s been yet another wacky NFL regular season. A New York Jets team that theoretically should have been blown out on Thursday night was within a field goal of beating the Patriots in New England. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh only to then lose to the Baltimore Ravens 48-17 at home. Both the Chicago Bears and New York Giants have been roller coaster up-and-down clubs.
The 2014 Browns have been notorious for slow starts. Bortles and the Jacksonville offense striking Cleveland for multiple touchdowns in the first 20 minutes of play is a real possibility, and it could set into motion a sequence of events that results in an upset. The Browns avoiding that from occurring should be enough for the visitors to return home at 4-2.
Prediction: Browns win 24-13
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