News4JAGs predictions: Banged up Jaguars will win ugly at Cleveland

The News4JAX sports staff Justin Barney, Jamal St. Cyr and Alessandra Pontbriand. (News4JAX)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars season is back and our News4JAX sports staff is back with its predictions as well. Each week, we’ll unveil our predictions for the week’s game. Jacksonville (8-4) visits the Browns (7-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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Jamal St. Cyr

This season: 8-4.

It’s going to be an ugly game in Cleveland. With an injured QB. I have said all week I think Trevor Lawrence will play. But even if he doesn’t, C.J. Beathard is hurt. Not a great situation. Luckily the Browns offense isn’t good. The Browns haven’t scored more than 20 points since the middle of November. It’s going to be a low-scoring game. Before the season, I leaned towards the Jaguars losing this game. This week I think QB1 playing through an injury gives the team a boost. Jaguars win a gritty not pretty game.— Jaguars 20, Browns 16.

Justin Barney

This season: 8-3.

Even with a banged up Trevor Lawrence, I don’t have much faith in the Cleveland offense, which is probably choosing to start Joe Montana or RG3 at quarterback. Or maybe it’s Joe Flacco and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cleveland’s offense is awful. But Jacksonville’s defense was absolutely embarrassing the last time out. I think Trevor plays and Jacksonville gets back in the win column, but it won’t be pretty. — Jaguars 19, Browns 16.

Alessandra Pontbriand

This season: 7-5.

“It’s a big road game; we’re going to play in big road games to finish the year that you’re going to have to win,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “This is a good challenge for us this week.”

You heard it from QB1 himself. At least Lawrence may be the starting quarterback this weekend. He has had limited practice this week, only a few days after suffering a right high ankle sprain Monday night against the Bengals. So it may be backup C.J. Beathard leading the Jaguars to a win at the Browns. This will be a tough test for the Jaguars. The Browns have the best defense in the league, but Myles Garrett is banged up. One good thing the Jaguars have on their side: they’re the only NFL team with a perfect road record this season. For some reason, the Jaguars play better on the road. So even with a banged-up team who will probably miss a few starters, I think the Jaguars can still win. — Jaguars 20, Browns 17.


About the Authors

Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he’s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.

Jamal St. Cyr is an award-winning sports anchor who joined the News4Jax sports team in 2019.

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