Cleveland Browns: 3 possible trap games in 2020

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 14: Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 stand during the national anthem before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 14: Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 stand during the national anthem before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 29: Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 29: Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars

This next trap game is a tricky one. It was widely speculated that the Cleveland Browns could have been the team chosen to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The trip across the pond combined with the facts that the Browns should be considered heavy favorites, and the Jaguars are accustomed to this trip as they do it annually, would make this an automatic trap game.

However, the league has elected not to play any international games this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, that should remove this game from being a trap game candidate, right? Not so fast. Timing is everything when it comes to trap games.

The Browns will spend the bulk of November playing in front of their home fans. After a three-game homestand, the Browns have a two-game road trip. The first stop is Jacksonville; however, it is the next stop that makes the Jaguars a trap game. After the Browns leave Florida, they head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans.

After what the Titans did to the Browns last season in the opening game, it is only natural that this will be a revenge game. Anytime that emotion is involved, it can most certainly skew a teams’ focus. Coach Stefanski is going to have to pull the reigns pretty hard to keep the Browns focused on the task at hand.

The Jaguars have been deemed by many to be tanking, or more accurately, to say they are losing for Lawrence. But they had a very productive draft and enough pieces still in place to be a tough out for anyone with their eyes not on the prize. If Minshew mania proves to be a real thing it could be a long day in Jacksonville.