Trevor Lawrence plays or not, Browns have 3 keys for topping Jaguars
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns enter a crucial Week 14 game with a ton of injuries, but a ton to play for. They have five games left and three of those will be played at home where they are 5-1 this season.
As they look to Jacksonville this weekend, the Jaguars have also been hit with the injury bug. The key injury, of course, is to starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who suffered a high sprain in the Jaguars 34-31 loss to the Bengals last Monday night. If he can’t go, C.J. Beathard will be the signal caller.
Regardless of whether or not Lawrence plays, here are three keys to beating the Jaguars this weekend:
Double team the defensive tackles
The Jaguars gave up 491 total yards to the Bengals in their Monday night loss. The Cincinnati offensive line consistently double teamed the Jacksonville defensive tackles and created incredible vertical displacement backward. This movement allowed Joe Mixon and Chase Brown to combine for 129 yards rushing for the Bengals.
While the Jaguars’ interior defensive line is their biggest weakness, the Browns’ interior offensive line is their greatest strength. Guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, along with center Ethan Pocic, should be able to create massive push on the defensive tackles of the Jaguars. On paper, this is a huge mismatch in the favor of the Browns. It must be exploited.
Below is a great look at the Jaguars defensive tackles getting moved backward while getting double team blocked by the Bengals. The play results in a 6-yard touchdown run from Mixon. The Browns can have the same success against the Jaguars with their double teams.
Take away Evan Engram
If Lawrence does play, the Browns will try to get him off his spot and move on that injured ankle. If Beathard plays, they will look to take away the short, safe passing game used against the Bengals.
Regardless of who starts, this a game where short passing will be important. Evan Engram had nine receptions for 82 yards last week and demonstrated why he is a matchup problem for NFL defenses. His size and speed allow him to easily beat linebackers and safeties, especially in the short passing game and red zone. Look for the Browns to use Martin Emerson Jr.’s size and length to match up with Engram on important downs.
Below is a look at a flat screen to Engram against the Bengals. Lawrence understands that Cincinnati is in zero-man coverage with a six-man box, on this first-and-10 play. Jacksonville will run a flat screen to Engram with both outside receivers blocking.
Safety Jordan Battle is too far away and unable to catch the explosive Engram down the sideline. The play results in a 22-yard touchdown for the Jaguars. These are the type of short passes the Browns secondary must take away from Jacksonville.
Have a plan for Foyesade Oluokin and Josh Allen
On film, Jacksonville’s defense is led by Oluokin and Allen. Oluokin has 131 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for a loss, five passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. More importantly, he gets the defense lined up and is the vocal leader of that unit.
Allen is a game wrecker with 13.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. The initial key to stopping an elite pass rusher is to run the football directly at them. At just 255 pounds, Allen can struggle when he is the point of attack in the run game.
The Browns will use their tackles to drive block him and their guards to continually kick him out in an attempt to tire him and slow down his ferocious pass rush. In true passing situations, Kevin Stefanski will chip him with a back, tight end, or receiver to help the young offensive tackles.
What we learned
Despite all the injuries, the Browns head into Week 14 with a legitimate chance of make the postseason. If Cleveland can run the football inside, cover Engram in the short passing game, and block Josh Allen, this is a football game they can win. In fact, if Lawrence does not play, this is a game they should win.
