by This Browns update is brought to you by Alternative Horizon Counseling Center. You can learn more about them here.https://keeonsports.podbean.com/e/alternative-horizon-counseling-center-offers-a-brighter-future/
It is also brought to you by Enhance Ability LLC. You can hear more about them here.https://keeonsports.podbean.com/e/start-your-career-with-enhance-ability-llc/
The 7-3 Browns were not only looking to beat the 1-9 Jaguars, but also remain in place for a wildcard position. The Browns entered the day in the sixth spot out of seven in the AFC.
Despite a poor record, several absent wide receivers and Mike Glennon filling in at quarterback, Cleveland could not take the Jags lightly. Especially without Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward on defense.
This afternoon was a tight battle the entire way. Browns fans could not feel completely comfortable until Nick Chubb converted on the third and long screen following the JC Tretter holding call. Chubb’s extra effort and vision finally allowed for a huge sigh of relief.
The game initially began with Aldrick Rosas nailing a 54-yard field goal for Jacksonville. The 3-0 lead only lasted a mere three minutes though because Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry were on the same page for most of the game. Mayfield hit Landry for a 5-yard TD on Landry’s second grab of the drive.
The Jaguars and Browns traded 24-yard field goals on back-to-back drives to make the score 10-6.
Jacksonville snagged their first touchdown of the game midway through the second quarter on a dime from Glennon to Collin Johnson. The rookie wide receiver out of Texas just beat Browns corner Kevin Johnson to the pylon in the left corner of the endzone. The 46-yard catch and run put the Jags back up 13-10.
On the ensuing drive, Cleveland responded once again. On play-action, Mayfield found Austin Hooper in the back of the endzone for a 9-yard TD. Going into half, the score would remain 17-13 after a Rosas missed field goal for the Jaguars.
The second half began with a sucker punch. Former Brown Joe Schobert punched the ball out of rookie tight end Harrison Bryant’s hands. The first play fumble gave Glennon and company incredible field position to begin the half. The Jaguars cashed in with a touchdown but failed on a two-point conversion attempt.
The failed two-point conversion proved to be costly for the Jags on the next Browns drive. Cody Parkey capitalized on a 45-yard field goal attempt which gave Cleveland a one-point lead.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Browns looked to take a firm grasp on the lead. Nick Chubb showed his physicality on a 3rd and goal and punched it in for six. Parkey’s made extra point pushes the score to 27-19.
On the last Jacksonville drive of the game, Glennon and company were knocking on the door. A fourth and ten was standing in the way of a chance to tie up the game. The Browns only rushed three and Olivier Vernon explosively blew by the right tackle. Vernon sacked Glennon and believed he forced a turnover on downs. Vernon’s helmet hit Glennon’s on the sack which led to the officials calling an unnecessary roughness penalty and granting the Jags an automatic first down.
James Robinson along with a push from his offensive line pushed the Browns defense back into the endzone. The physical run made it 27-25 and allowed Jacksonville an opportunity to tie with a two-point conversion. On the attempt, Glennon rolled to his left and then had to launch to the back of the endzone. An unlikely hero in Andrew Sendejo caught the ball out of bounds, keeping a Jags victory just out of reach.
The 27-25 victory pushes the Browns to 8-3 and Jacksonville falls to 1-10.
Throughout the game, Jarvis Landry was unstoppable with 8 receptions, 144 yards and 1 TD.
Mayfield had great moments in play-action but still is jittery in the pocket. The lack of footwork in the pocket resulted in a wide-open miss to Rashard Higgins in the endzone. He is often sailing passes while throwing off his back foot and clearly does not know about a touch pass. The game for the gunslinger was certainly not perfect, but in the better weather Baker did go 19/29 for 258 yards and 2 TDs. The better game is a welcome sight to many Browns fans.
The Browns travel to Tennessee next weekend.
Chad Decker- Jarvis Landry
Landry
Jarvis Landry