Browns Preview 11/17/17: Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cleveland Browns

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The still winless Cleveland Browns host the (6-3) Jacksonville Jaguars. The weather is going to be cold this weekend and the running game is going to be extremely important for both teams. The Browns lost pro-bowl linebacker Jamie Collins for the season last week.


Browns Offense vs Jags Defense

The Browns need to have success running the ball this week and they can't give up on it. The Jags defense is the best when it comes to defending the pass but against the run they are ranked 25th. The running game for the Browns actually had some success last week. Isaiah Crowell ran for 90 yards and a touchdown and both DeShone Kizer and Duke Johnson ran for just over 50 yards. This is how the Browns are going to have to play offensively going forward. They need Crowell and Johnson to average around 120 yards between them and then also take what the defense gives them when it comes to Kizer.

The passing game is getting some help with the return of Corey Coleman. Coleman will be active for the first time since breaking his hand against the Ravens. Kenny Britt finally decided to show up last week even if it was just for two catches and a touchdown. The issue with passing game is guys like Duke Johnson and Seth DeValve are first and third on the team in catches. Second is Ricardo Lewis who has 25 catches but let's be 100...He's barely a NFL receiver.



Browns Defense vs Jags Offense

The Jags offense could be without a number of playmakers this week. Rookie Leonard Fournette has missed some games due to injury and has been limited in practice this week. Also for the Jags, both starting receivers Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee have been absent from practice due to injuries. Even if one of the receivers can't go expect for Fournette or Chris Ivory to get plenty of snaps. Sunday won't be kind to the quarterbacks. And with Kizer and Blake Bortles under-center each team should just play it safe.

For the Browns defensively, expect James Burgess to get the bulk of the snaps with Collins out. Also Jabrill Peppers' role on defense could expand a bit more with the Collins injury. It will be interesting to see if Gregg Williams puts Peppers in at linebacker like the Cardinals do with Deone Bucannon.




Five Guys to Watch


1. DeShone Kizer: I'm curious to see if Hue Jackson continues to put Kizer in favorable positions. He's done so the last two games and it's worked out for the most part. Now if only someone playing receiver can go out and actually make a big play consistently.

 2. Emmanual Ogbah: Ogbah is actually one of the best run stoppers in the game and he is one of the big reasons the Browns rank 4th in rush defense. With terrible weather Ogbah need to be on the field as much as possible in order to limit Fournette or Ivory.

3. Joe Schobert: If I would have told you that Schobert would be leading the Browns in tackles this season last year no one would have believed me...but its true. Schobert cutting weight and moving to middle linebacker has given him a NFL career. Again with a run heavy game plan Schobert will have his name called multiple times.

4. Corey Coleman: I am so glad Coleman is back. Yes, he probably won't get 12+ targets this week but with Coleman back the Browns have a reliable receiver going forward. And I'm sure Kizer can't wait to use his favorite toy again.

5. Jabrill Peppers: Peppers is on the list because of what I said above. He is really good near the line of scrimmage and its something to keep an eye out for if Gregg Williams starts using him as the linebacker hybrid he really is.




Injury Report:

Weather Report:

Betting Line (as of 11/16/17): Jacksonville -7.5


Predictions: Jacksonville 17 Browns...20!

I have a weird feeling about this game. With the terrible weather and all the shit talking the Jags have said this week, it seems like the perfect game for the Browns to win. IF they can take care of the football and not have any stupid mistakes in the redzone...The Browns have a really good chance of upsetting the Jaguars.