Browns vs. Jaguars: Stock Up, Stock Down

The Browns bounced back from a two-game skid out west as they handled their business against a solid Jaguars team, earning a 31-27 win in Week 14

A Week 14 AFC showdown with the Jaguars felt as close to a must win as a game could be for the Browns, without it mathematically eliminating them from the playoffs. 

Cleveland found a way to get it done, as the defense got back on track, forcing four turnovers and sacking Trevor Lawrence four times. On the opposite side of the ball – led by savvy veteran Joe Flacco – the offense put up its third highest point total of the season.

The impressive victory over yet another division leading team sets the stage for the now 8-5 Browns to clinch a playoff berth in the coming weeks. It wouldn't have been possible without a number of standout performances, granted it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies for the Browns. Here's this week's Stock Up, Stock Down.

Stock Up: Joe Flacco

Flacco delivered the first 300-yard QB performance in over a year. It also came with three touchdowns to boot. For a second straight week he turned back the clock and delivered a pretty damn brilliant performance for a Browns offense that has been anemic throughout the season. Kevin Stefanski had no choice but to name him the starter for the rest of the season. He's a perfect fit for this team and offense and he's got this city believing a playoff run could be in the cards.

Stock Up: Martin Emerson Jr.

It was a rough road trip for the second-year cornerback and Trevor Lawrence tired to exploit him again. This time around he was constantly in the right place to break up the pass or snag an impressive interception. He finished with two picks in the win, providing two of the defense's impressive four takeaways on the day. In a game where Denzel Ward was once again out due to injury, they needed Emerson Jr. to step up and step up he did. PFF gave the Mississippi State product an 89.9 coverage grade for the day.

Martin Emerson Jr.'s second pick of the day!

📺: #JAXvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/PZ6ew9X8n7

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023

Stock Down: Geron Christian

Christian has been generally steady at left tackle filling in for Jedrick Wills, who we learned today is now out for the rest of the season. But this week he struggled in pass protection. PFF gave Christian the lowest score of any player on the Browns offense this week, 30.8. And he had a pass blocking grade of 44.8. Sunday was not his best game.

Stock Down: James Hudson III

Similarly, James Hudson didn't have a great game filling in for Dawand Jones who is also now lost for the season due to a knee injury. His PFF grade came in around 52, which, along with Christian, was among the four lowest offensive scores. 

Browns Lose Another Offensive Lineman For Remainder Of Season

Stock Up: Dustin Hopkins

When you top a Browns legend, you make the list. Hopkins' only field goal of the day – a 55-yarder that essentially put the game away from Cleveland – established a new mark for made field goals in a season with 31, topping the great Phil Dawson. He's also a perfect eight-for-eight from 50-plus range this year – a mark that also passes Dawson. What a season it's been for Hopkins. He's been as steady as they come.

Stock Up: David Bell

When you score your first touchdown of your career you also make the list. It came of course on the play heard round Cleveland, on fourth-and-three as Flacco hooked eluded the pressure and found Bell leaking out over the middle of the field wide open. He caught it and darted 41 yards to the house. It was a great play design, called at the perfect time. Bell and some of the other back end of the depth chart wide receivers have suddenly found roles in this offense with Flacco under center. 

David Bell's first NFL touchdown couldn't have come at a better time#JAXvsCLE on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/dDjHo744d1

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 10, 2023

Stock Up: Kevin Stefanski

This season has to be testing Stefanski's resolve with so many injuries to navigate, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Now if you want to argue that he's maybe abandoned the run too soon and for long, unexplainable stretches in recent weeks, it's a fair point. Cleveland ranks fifth in the NFL over the last three weeks with a pass play percentage of 65-percent. That said it's hard to knock him when Flacco throwing 40-plus times seems to be working. He dialed up a lot of nice plays at the perfect time against the Jaguars. Another masterful effort from his as play caller.