Browns Vs Jaguars: Four Reasons For Concern

Dec 1, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger (99) against the Jacksonville Jaguars at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Law of Averages

The law of averages tends to play out in sports. Teams seem to knock on the door of certain goals before achieving them. Golfers will struggle to break shooting 40 on nine holes then to break par before one day finally breaking through. NBA teams will make it to the Conference Finals and then the NBA Finals a number of times before finally getting to their end goal. In the NFL this is seen in a variety of ways, including finally getting a first or big win.

The Jaguars are on the cusp of their first win. The last two weeks have been highly competitive. They lost to the Steelers 17 – 9 due to an interception return for a touchdown two weeks ago. Then last week they lost to the Titans by two, 16 – 14, struggling to score until very late after scoring on their first drive of the game. The Jags haven’t dominated but they also haven’t been dominated. The Law of Averages say they might be due soon, hopefully it is next week.

The Browns on the other hand have played a four very close games before last week’s blowout win over the Steelers. If the Jaguars are able to keep this game close the Browns could be looking at another coin flip game. So far they are 50/0 in those. On the other hand could the Law of Averages mean that the Browns could be in for a game they are dominated? So far Brian Hoyer has done a great job, and got lucky sometimes, in not turning the ball over much. Could he regress to the mean?

Overconfidence

The Browns are professionals but they could still struggle with the same thing that fans are struggling with today: Expecting to win. While having confidence in yourself or your teams ability is huge the Browns have to temper that with the fact that the players on the other side are pretty good.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

• Cleveland Browns critics continue to misplace their judgement
• 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
• How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
• Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
• 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not

The Jaguars have a bunch of young, talented players on their team, especially on offense, and have brought in a bevy of veterans on the defensive side of the ball. They are not a team that can be taken lightly. This will also be true for the game against the Bucs, though it will be tough to say the same about the Raiders.

The Browns have to come in like professionals, Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby should help, and take care of business early and often. The Jaguars’ run defense has been the best part of their team but the Browns have to stick with what got them to this point so far. Running hard, playing solid defense sometimes and the play action passing game. Expect a sprinkle of Johnny Manziel early.

What reasons for concern do you have for today?