The Browns take on the Jaguars in what I believe to be a must-win game. In order to survive a tough schedule at the end of the year the Browns need to go 1-1 in their first two games. The Jags are coming off a pretty brutal loss to the Dolphins. It was a game they should have won if Travis Etienne hadn’t fumbled the ball into the endzone. The Jags have had a tough stretch going back to last season as they blew the division and their playoff hopes. It is not like they don’t have playmakers on offense. They have a top-tier TE in Evan Engram, a diverse running back in Etienne, solid WRs with Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Brian Thomas, and I think Lawrence is a very solid QB. When all these guys are rolling this team is difficult to beat. The Browns will need to make the Jags drive the field and not give up big plays. They do seem to turn the ball over more than most teams. *The Browns dodged a bullet with Engram being a game-time scratch. They did not elevate any other TEs, so they will be very thin at this position.
The time is now for Deshaun Watson and this Browns offense. If they can’t put together a solid performance today, people will be calling for Watson to be benched. Jack Conklin has officially been ruled out for the game. We need this O-line to put together a good performance in the run-and-pass game. Njoku is out but it actually evens out with Engram news. The Jags’ secondary is extremely banged up. Their best corner is out, and according to their official depth chart, every free safety they have is out for the game. I will have a huge problem if the Browns don’t attack this secondary. No more dink and dunk throws this week. The Browns can right the ship this week if they can look competent. The schedule lightens up in the next few weeks. This is a massive opportunity to get back on track.
Let’s get it done! Go Browns!