Cleveland is going for its third straight victory.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Conventional wisdom says the browns should win easily on this Sunday, but as we know all too well, 2020 has been anything but conventional.
Cleveland, at 7-3 and in the thick of a playoff race, is set to play the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in its first road game since late October. Jacksonville enters with a record of only 1-9, with its lone win coming in the season’s opening week.
The Browns are riding high after back-to-back home wins over the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles, cementing their status as a contender for their first postseason appearance since 2002. However, several key players (especially on defense) will be out this afternoon.
Defensive ends Myles Garrett, Porter Gustin, and Joe Jackson are all on Cleveland’s reserve/COVID-19 list and will miss today’s game, along with fullback Andy Janovich and linebacker Sione Takitaki. In addition, defensive backs Sheldrick Redwine and Denzel Ward (one of the best in the NFL) are sidelined with injuries, meaning guys like Kevin Johnson and Adrian Clayborn will have to step up in starting roles.
For the Jags, third-string quarterback Mike Glennon will make his first start since 2017 with Gardner Minshew still sidelined. Glennon replaces backup Joe Luton, who went 0-3 with just two touchdowns and six interceptions leading the offense.
Unlike the last three games at FirstEnergy Stadium, the weather in Florida today features clear skies and warm temperatures. What follows is a drive-by-drive live blog of the action, with the most recent plays and updates closest to the top. Stay tuned for updates and analysis all afternoon on 3News and WKYC.com.
2ND QUARTER
13:37: The Jags cut through the depleted Browns defense like a knife through butter, but in the end Cleveland gets a stop in the red zone. Aldrick Rosas’ 24-yard field goal attempt is good, and Jacksonville cuts the lead to 7-6.
1ST QUARTER
3:40: A 43-yard kickoff return by D’Ernest Johnson sets the tone for a quick Browns drive that ends with a 5-yard Baker Mayfield touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry. It’s “Juice’s” first scoring grab of the year, and Cleveland is on top 7-3.
Some bad news for the Browns, however, as safety Ronnie Harrison will not return after hurting his shoulder on the opening series. He is the third member of an already-suspect secondary to be sidelined with an injury.
6:35: Although the offense didn’t go that far, the good starting field position allowed Aldrick Rosas to nail a 53-yard field goal, and the Jaguars take an early 3-0 lead.
9:46: The Browns’ offense goes backwards thanks to a Dawuane Smoot sack of Baker Mayfield. Although Kareem Hunt is able to get the ball back to the 9-yard line, Jamie Gillan still has to punt, and Trey Quinn returns the kick to midfield.
12:05: Jacksonville gets an early first down, but the Browns’ defense takes advantage of a couple of Jags mistakes and forces a punt. Logan Cook’s kick is fair-caught at the Cleveland 8-yard line, where Baker Mayfield will lead the Browns out for their first drive of the day.