How the Browns' Defense Can Stop the Jaguar Offense

The Browns defense has a great opportunity to get back to their dominant ways in front of the home Browns crowd

On Monday Night, the Jaguars offense experienced two huge injuries to their offensive unit. Wide receiver Christian Kirk suffered a core injury that is going to sideline him for at least eight weeks.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a high ankle sprain that it would appear he is trying to fight through to play on Sunday in Cleveland. 

Depending on who is under center for the Jaguars, they will present two separate challenges. If Lawrence can go, they are going to be far more effective than if CJ Beathard is leading the team. Regardless, the Browns' defense needs to show up and dominate.

Browns All-Pro cornerback Denzel Ward is on track to rejoin the group this week and jump back into the secondary. They also are expecting to get corner Cam Mitchell back off the injured reserve as well giving a huge upgrade to the Browns secondary.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz called out the Browns defensive line for not having a sack in the past two games. This defensive group was built on it's ability to get to the quarterback so expect this defensive line, with a healthy secondary, to make its impact on Sunday's game.

Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (25) is tackled by Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) and cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High / Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

With a healthy Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguar offense has been great this year. They are the 12th-ranked group in the NFL averaging 346 yards and nearly 24 points per game. 

Their passing game has been their driver all year long. They are ninth in the league at 243 yards per game and they have big play threats in their receiver core. Calvin Ridley has been an incredible addition to this team. He has 51 catches for 689 yards and five touchdowns. He is certainly on pace to have his best season since his 2020 career year. 

Without Chrisitan Kirk, Ridley will need to have an increased role on Sunday. Also, look for tight end Evan Engram to be a central part of the Jaguar gameplan. Engram has 73 catches on the year for 606 yards and found paydirt last week for the first time all season. 

The Jaguar run game is leaving a lot to be desired this season. They are the 21st-ranked team in the league and only average 103 yards per game. Their rushing attack is led by second-year man Travis Eitenne who is on pace to eclipse 1,000 yards and already has eight touchdowns this year. 

The emphasis for the Browns is to dominate. It does not matter who is playing quarterback for the Jaguars, Cleveland needs to suffocate them and not allow them to get going on Sunday. It will start with stopping the run game and then allowing our healthy secondary to shut down the pass.

The opportunity is there, it is up to the Browns defense to take advantage of it.