Jacksonville Jaguar (8-4) vs. Cleveland Browns (7-5)
Jacksonville Jaguar vs. Cleveland Browns 12/10/23 – The playoff-hopeful Jacksonville Jaguars take on the struggling Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football. With just four weeks left in the regular season, this game has major implications for both teams’ postseason chances. The 8-4 Jaguars sit second in the AFC South, while the 7-5 Browns are fighting for their playoff lives in a tough AFC North. Our top football tips today focus on Jacksonville’s rushing attack and Cleveland’s recent primetime woes.
Led by RB Travis Etienne Jr., the Jaguars boast the league’s 5th-best rushing offense. Etienne has been phenomenal in his sophomore season, racking up 726 yards and 7 TDs while averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Cleveland’s rush defense has declined of late, giving up 136.5 rushing yards per game over their last six. If the Browns cannot slow down Etienne, it may be another long night for Cleveland.
Meanwhile, the Browns have dropped three straight primetime games while averaging just 13 offensive points per contest. With QB Deshaun Watson still working off the rust, the Browns will need major production from sophomore RB Jerome Ford. Ford has emerged as the lead back in Cleveland, but faces a stiff test against the Jaguars’ 12th-ranked run defense. The Browns must establish consistency on the ground to have any chance on Monday night.
Jacksonville Jaguar vs. Cleveland Browns Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Cleveland Browns Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Trevor Lawrence QB vs. Deshaun Watson QB
In just his second season, Trevor Lawrence has taken a monumental leap for the Jaguars. The former No. 1 overall pick has been extremely efficient, completing 67.3% of his passes while tossing 12 TDs to just 7 INTs. Most impressively, Lawrence has shown elite poise and decision making for such a young QB. He faces a tough Browns pass defense ranked 5th best in opponent passer rating. If Lawrence can continue his careful mastery of the offense, Jacksonville should find ample success.
Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson has been understandably rusty since returning from his 11-game suspension. While he’s flashed the immense talent that made him an elite QB in Houston, Watson has had trouble finding consistency. However, the Browns boast the league’s top rushing attack by DVOA. If Watson can manage the game and avoid mistakes, Cleveland has enough ground potential to make this a close contest. But Watson must improve upon his 4:4 TD to turnover ratio.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Jacksonville Jaguars -158, Total Odds: 36.5
The Jaguars enter as narrow 3-point road favorites for this AFC showdown. Given Cleveland’s primetime struggles and Jacksonville’s air-tight rush defense, the small spread in the Jaguars’ favor makes sense. The total sits at just 36.5, with the under trending due to both teams’ strength against the run.
Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Trends
Jacksonville has dominated ATS this season, covering in 7 of their last 9 overall. More impressively, the Jags are a flawless 9-0 ATS over their last 9 road games. Jacksonville also holds a 5-1 ATS advantage over Cleveland in the last six head-to-head matchups. With the Jags entering as road favorites in a rare cold-weather game, all the betting trends point toward Jacksonville.
Cleveland Browns Betting Trends
While the betting trends may favor Jacksonville, several lean Cleveland’s way as home underdogs. The Browns are 4-2 SU against AFC opponents this season, indicating they still rise to the occasion in conference play. Cleveland also plays exceptionally well against the run at home, allowing just 76.7 rush yards per game at FirstEnergy Stadium. If the Browns can slow Etienne and force Lawrence into mistakes, they stand a strong chance to cover 3 points.
Jacksonville Jaguar vs. Cleveland Browns 12/10/23 Betting Picks
This matchup is poised to be a close contest, with both teams showcasing strengths that could tip the scale in their favor. Jacksonville’s robust offensive lineup and their strong ATS record, especially on the road, make them a formidable opponent. Cleveland’s ability to score, particularly at home, and Watson’s impact as a playmaker, however, should not be underestimated.
Handicapping services would likely recognize the potential for a close game but might lean towards Jacksonville based on their consistent performance and ability to cover spreads away from home.
Free Pick and Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguar 20, Cleveland Browns 16