Jaguars vs. Browns: Week 14 Staff Predictions

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a playoff-level game in Week 14. 

No, the Cleveland Browns are not an AFC juggernaut. And no, Joe Flacco doesn't compare to the likes of Patrick Mahomes and the other top quarterbacks the Jaguars will potentially battle in the AFC playoffs. 

But they are a talented 7-5 team that will host the Jaguars in cold and ugly conditions in Week 14, a game that has quickly become must-win for the 8-4 Jaguars and a hobbled Trevor Lawrence.

So how does the Jaguar Report staff see Week 14? We break it down below.

John Shipley

Prediction: I think this is going to be a race to 20 points. My gut tells me the Jaguars will start Trevor Lawrence less than a week after his ankle injury vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. I think the Jaguars' staff has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their ability to protect Lawrence with a game-plan of quick passes, chips, screens, and RPOs. I also think Lawrence himself generally does a good job of protecting himself.

Will that be enough? The injuries in the secondary have be questioning it, especially with star wide receiver Amari Cooper set to play. I think this will be a physical, low-scoring affair and the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. With Lawrence likely at the helm, I think that will just barely be the Jaguars.

Jaguars 20, Browns 18.

Daniel Griffis

Prediction: This is a tough game to predict as both team’s have uncertainty at quarterback. The Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence is listed as questionable and looks to give it a go. The Cleveland Browns have a similar mystery at quarterback as the team has stated they will forgo announcing a starter until game time. 

With injuries aplenty for Jacksonville and the classic, cold Cleveland weather expected to set it, this could be a tough game for the Jaguars to win. The Browns’ defense is no joke either. I think this ends up being a defensive battle and Cleveland gets the better of the Jaguars led by an injured Lawrence.

Browns 23, Jaguars 20.

Zach Schultz

Prediction: Monday night was awful no doubt but this team has a knack for showing up after defeat. It looks like Trevor Lawrence is going to give this a go and they’re going to need him against a super tough Browns defense. I’m expecting a hard, low-scoring game. I don’t think it looks pretty by any means on Sunday but I’m looking for them to use the quick passing game, similar to what we saw in the New Orleans game. I am however extremely worried about what Myles Garrett is going to do against this makeshift offensive line. 

For the Jaguars defense, I’m looking for them to hold the Browns under 17 points after getting embarrassed by the Bengals. The Browns are likely without Amari Cooper which is a huge blow to an already thin receiver group. Overall I think the Jags win a defensive battle

Jaguars 17, Browns 13.

Kyle Nash

Prediction: It’s bad enough that Folorunso Fatukasi, Tre Herndon, and Tyson Campbell all got beat up on defense last week on Monday night, but the Duval Devout are also plenty worried about Christian Kirk, Walker Little, and Trevor Lawrence for the offense. It’s possible Lawrence plays in a reprise of his appearance in the Thursday day night game back in October against the New Orleans Saints starting on the road on a short week with a high ankle sprain. If that happens, even with Ezra Cleveland coming in at the trade deadline the offensive line is in shambles at the moment.

To make matters worse, the Cleveland Browns are one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL even with Miles Garret banged up. However, pairing that with the Browns getting Joe Flacco out of retirement to play quarterback, this is sure to be a sloppy game. It’ll come down to who makes fewer turnovers, and on Sunday I think that’s Cleveland in a slobber knocker.

Browns 23, Jaguars 20.