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December 1, 2013Campbell and Robertson headline Cleveland Browns’ inactives versus Jacksonville
December 1, 2013
The Browns will understandably emphasize all week that they have to keep fighting for pride. But for fans, it’s tough to rally around a 4-7 team with little left to fight for in 2013.
This afternoon, those Browns – worthy of yet another Mike Polk video – face off at FirstEnergy Stadium against the depressing 2-9 Jacksonville Jaguars. Yes, the same team that recently deserved a headline on Deadspin titled “The Historic Suck of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
For fans, a win today is expected. The team is seven-point favorites at home, despite Brandon Weeden again starting at quarterback. But a loss? That would be crushing and perhaps serve face that the team isn’t actually that much better off than they were a season ago.
Below are three keys to victory for the Browns to move back into the fringes of the AFC Wild Card race:
— Turnovers: The Browns have committed four turnovers in each of the last two losses. That’s something that they were much better at earlier in the season. As you can see in my WFNY Stats & Info headline yesterday, it’s generally not helpful for winning when you commit four turnovers.
Chad Henne is the old-new quarterback for the Jags. The former Michigan Wolverine is just 3-11 in the past two years, yet has shown some promise with his big throws. This season, he has nine interceptions compared to just four touchdowns. Joe Haden will likely match up against Mt. Union product Cecil Shorts. The Browns will hope to capture a pick or two.
— The linebackers: Rick dedicated the film room this week to the missing play of the team’s outside linebackers. In general, they made very little impact on the game against the Steelers last week. With Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo around, that shouldn’t happen against most teams. The Browns had 18.5 sacks in their first five games; they have only 12.5 sacks in the last six.
In addition to pressuring the quarterback, keep an eye on undrafted rookie Darius Eubanks who will be making the start. Craig Robertson is doubtful and Tank Carder is out. That leaves the Browns with even less experience at linebacker. Robertson was criticized widely for his play, while Carder impressed before also getting injured.
Maurice Jones-Drew (cousins with T.J. Ward) is always a player to watch for Jacksonville. He had his best game of the season last week, tallying new 2013 season highs with 84 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards. Cleveland is one of two teams yet to allow a 90-yard rusher this season. They are going to have to contain MJD at the line and with help from the linebackers to continue that streak.
— Special teams: Punt blocking doomed the Browns two weeks ago against the Bengals. Last week, there was no traction for Fozzy Whitaker in the kick return game. If the Browns are able to gain a leg up on Jacksonville, they’ll need positive momentum from returns.
Jags punter Bryan Anger has been one of the best in the league this season, averaging 46.2 yards on his 68 punts. They haven’t scored too often on offense, so opponents have only 18 kick returns all season. Whoever can gain an edge here could perhaps swing the game quickly.
16 Comments
Brandon Weeden…Oy.
ok, about as amateurish 3 minutes of NFL quarterbacking I’ve ever seen.
Show the rest of the team you care. Bring in Throwalicious.
For the record, I submitted my previous comment after the 2nd int, but just before the fumble.
13 free points courtesy of BW3. Just end it now Chud. Please. End this embarrassing experiment.
This guy sux!
RIDICULOUS!!!! If Joe Banner or Jim Haslam say they are playing to win then they are lying….That was an embarrassment of epic proportions….And because we are so damn cheap we don’t even have a real back up to put in there to end this misery……..GET HIM OUT OF THERE NOW…..
Dude are u serious take this bum ass qb out he stinks time after time after time I rather have them run everytime we’re gonna lose anyways ….put in that utube sensation
Someone needs to tell me why we could not have picked up Vince Young for the last 3 weeks….Does anyone think that even a idiot like Young would not have given the Browns at least half a chance?????…..you know why we didn’t??…because we don’t want to waste the money on a 1 year guy…even though we were still in the playoff hunt…..Sometimes just trying to WIN trumps making supposedly ” good ” business decisions
Browns’ fan face is perfect (reaction to 2nd FG).
You want to know how bad Weeden is? The Browns have the number 2 wide out and tight end in the league, and Weeden can’t win a single game with them.
seriously. what the heck is there to lose, other than some pretty darn important draft position? Well, I guess I just answered my own question…
That safety may have been the Browniest play ever.
I wanna throw to Josh Gordon if he can do this with Weeden imagine what we could do?
Monday special: deep fried Haden!!!!!
32 points allowed to Jacksonville = great d!
Joe Haden…floasted by the double move.
Sheesh.
This franchise is a joke can’t wait to hear the post game moratorium from
dudzinski and weeden!
By a dude from Mount Union.