Any optimism that Cleveland Browns fans had heading into the NFL kickoff last week was promptly extinguished as the visiting Dallas Cowboys pummeled their hosts 33-17. This Sunday, the Browns hope to keep the panic at the low-to-medium sweat stage with a good showing on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
One reason for hope: Cleveland has traditionally rebounded well following a loss during Kevin Stefanski’s tenure as head coach. The Browns are 22-8 in games following a defeat in Stefanski’s time at the helm.
However, in recent seasons, the Cleveland Browns have experienced relatively few shreddings like what the Cowboys gave their hosts last week — a game Dallas dominated far more than even the 16-point spread indicated. It will be a tremendously difficult defeat for Cleveland to simply shake off with the promise of a new game.
Cleveland Browns Still Waiting for Vintage Deshaun Watson to Appear
Two years ago, the Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL world by giving up a king’s ransom to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans.
Other than the allegations of sexual misconduct that continue to rear their ugly head, Watson has brought very little of his Houston self to Cleveland. Watson completed a repugnant 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against the Cowboys.
Much of the blame lies with Watson, who looked absolutely lost at times after taking the ball from center. However, in his defense, the Browns offensive lineman was without two of five starters, as tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin were out recovering from knee injuries. Wills remains out this week, but Conklin may see the field on Sunday.
If Watson continues to struggle, the calls for backup quarterback Jameis Winston to take the field will only grow louder.
Defense May Be Cleveland Browns Key To Victory
While allowing 33 points is not a normal sign of a top-flight defense, the Cleveland Browns still feature a heavy deterrence on that side of the ball.
One of the three touchdowns that Dallas scored last week was on a 60-yard punt return, while the Cowboys also received four perfect field goals from long distance — including a 57-yarder — by Brandon Aubrey. In the end, the Brown’s defenders allowed the same number of touchdowns — two — that the Cowboy’s defense did.
All this while spending a seemingly endless time on the field in the middle quarters as the Cleveland offense made “three-and-out” a nasty habit in Week 1.
The Browns defenders’ task eases up somewhat this Sunday. Instead of facing Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Ezekiel Elliott, Cleveland looks to defend against Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., and Travis Etienne Jr. Not to say that the Jaguars’ offense necessarily pales in comparison to the Cowboys, but Jacksonville mustered up just 17 points in a Week 1 loss at the Miami Dolphins.
Final Thoughts And Prediction
This week should at least be more competitive, as Cleveland Browns radically reassess their priorities for the 2024 season. However, the fact that the game is in Jacksonville, and the Jaguars appear to be a team on the rise, it is difficult to predict that the Browns pull off a victory in northern Florida.
While Cleveland historically plays with abandon under Stefanski in order to avoid losing streaks, the Browns’ injury-riddled offense (running back Nick Chubb is still weeks away from suiting up) makes it difficult to imagine that the visitors head home at 1-1.
Unless the Browns pull off a suffocating defensive effort — something the unit is capable of — Jacksonville looks to be a proper three-point favorite at home. Expect a close game. However, in the end, expect Cleveland to be boarding their Sunday night flight with an 0-2 record.
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