Congratulations NFL fans in Northern Ohio, you get to watch your Cleveland Browns (0-9) at FirstEnergy Stadium this week. Isn’t that nice? They’re hosting an actual good team, the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3), so you can even see what that looks like too. Fun.
For those of you who can’t make it to the live game, you can watch it on your local CBS station at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns (+7.5)
O/U: 37.0
The History
Since 1995, the Jaguars and Browns have met up 16 times with Jacksonville holding a 11-5 advantage in the all time series.
They last faced off on October 19, 2014 with the Jags winning 24-6. It was another classic Blake Bortles vs Bryan Hoyer quarterback duel. Bortles was 17 of 31 for 159 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Hoyer was 16 of 41 for 215 yards, no touchdowns and one pick.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6-3)
The Jaguars roll into Cleveland after winning four of their last five games. Their only loss was a 27-17 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams who are currently leading their division. The week before that, however, Jacksonville put on a thorough beat down on the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-9.
Since that Rams game, the Jags have put together a streak of solid victories over teams they out-man and out-coach. Last week it was the Anthony Lynn led Los Angeles Chargers who fell, 20-17, in Jacksonville. It was a much closer game than it should have been thanks to a couple of Blake Bortles picks in the second half. The picks stalled what should have been at least a field goal for the Jaguars on one possession and directly led to an L.A. field goal on the other.
It was the Jaguars’ defense that saved the day, picking of Philip Rivers and setting up the go-ahead field goal late in overtime. Bortles finished the game 28 of 51 for 273 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Chargers handled Leonard Fournette. He had 17 carries but just 33 yards. Fournette is questionable for this game with a knee.
Allen Hurns is officially listed as out as is Arrelious Benn. That means we’ll likely see the NFL debut of rookie DeDe Westbrook who has been held out with injuries all year. He, fellow rookie Keelan Cole and Jaelen strong should see plenty of action Sunday.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-9)
Cleveland got its own good news on the injury front this week with the return of wide receiver Corey Coleman. That means for the first time this season, DeShone Kizer should have all his non suspended wide receivers on the field to overthrow.
In fact, the Browns’ injury report is pretty clean. Shon Coleman, Jamar Taylor and J.C. Tretter are all listed as questionable, but practiced Friday. I expect them all to play.
In the end, what difference will it make? This team is a flaming Diaper Genie. Last week they actually showed up to play for a quarter, building a 10-3 lead on the Detroit Lions, before remembering they were the Browns and flushing it all away. Kizer had one of his better games, completing 21 of 37 passing for 232 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He added seven rushes for 57 yards and a touchdown on the ground. That means if you were forced to start Kizer on your fantasy team because of injuries and byes, he didn’t single handedly cost you the game. Progress!
Isaiah Crowell rushed the ball 16 times for 90 yards and a touchdown. He’ll need to do a lot more of that against Jacksonville. Their pass defense is elite and they can get after the quarterback, but there are holes in the running game to exploit.
The Pick
It doesn’t matter how many injuries the Jaguars have on offense, they may outscore Cleveland with their defense alone. Jacksonville can take over the AFC South with a win here. I say they do it. Jaguars 23, Browns 13
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 9-5
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 87-59
Against the spread: 75-70
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
