Cleveland Browns vs. Jaguars: 3 Matchups that will decide Week 12

Cleveland Browns need to win these battles in Week 12

Coming into Week 12, the Cleveland Browns are sitting pretty at 7-3. They’re also riding a two-game winning streak and if that wasn’t enough, they’re playing against the struggling 1-9 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Of course, it’s their first road game in nearly a month and while the trip away from the comforts of your own stadium is usually a disadvantage, this could actually be a welcome change for the Browns. Their past three games in Northeast Ohio have been marred with poor playing conditions, and in Jacksonville, it’s supposed to be in the 70s with only a slight chance of rain.

All signs are pointing to a third-straight win for the Browns but they play the game for a reason. Cleveland should pull out the win but these are the three main matchups they need to dominate in order to do so.

3. James Robinson vs. Cleveland front seven

One of the lone bright spots for the Jags this season has been the play of rookie running back James Robinson. Undrafted out of Illinois State, Robinson has run for 762 yards and five touchdowns in his first 10 games.

While the Browns have been decent overall against the run, they have had their lapses which have cost them some games. For example, they had no answer for the Raiders rushing attack in Week 8 which came two weeks after struggling to stop James Conner.

Keying in on Robinson in this game will be key — and that doesn’t just mean as a runner. Robinson also has 249 yards and two touchdowns on 31 receptions. This means the defensive line needs to be able to maintain gap discipline and the linebackers have to be ready to cover in the flats. Robinson is a weapon and all of the front seven for Cleveland will be tested.