Jaguars vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Week 14 Odds, Prediction
It is unclear whether starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence will be available when the Jacksonville Jaguars look to preserve their diminished lead atop the AFC South standings Sunday afternoon’s NFL Week 14 road date with the slumping Cleveland Browns. The Jaguars came up short in a 34-31 overtime loss to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, and now sit just one game up on both Indianapolis and Houston in the divisional standings.
Despite enjoying an eight-game straight up and against the spread win streak on the road in regular season action, the Jags are set to hit the gridiron at Cleveland Browns Stadium pegged as 3-point underdogs on the NFL Week 14 odds. In addition to sporting -120 odds of covering as 3-point chalk, the Browns are also perched as -165 NFL moneyline favourites, while the total is listed ay just 31.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It is looking increasingly likely that weather will be a factor in Sunday afternoon’s contest, with plenty of rain and temperatures in the single digits Celsius forecast for game time. That is likely to be just fine with the browns, whose plans to grind down opponents failed to materialize during their just completed two-game road trip. Overall, the Browns surrendered 65 total points in their back-to-back defeats in LA and Denver. However, they have been a stifling defensive force during a three-game SU win streak at home, during which they have limited opponents to just nine points per game.
Conversely, the Jaguars have consistently dominated during their current road surge, claiming victory by an average margin of 11.5 points while piling up over 27 points per game. However, with both Trevor Lawrence and backup CJ Beathard missing time at practice this week due to injury, maintaining that momentum against a stout browns defence is a big ask.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Hobbled by an ankle injury, later diagnosed as a high ankle sprain, Trevor Lawrence was forced to exit Monday’s date with the Bengals. Lawrence returned to practice on Thursday, but given the severity of his injury, he is likely to be a game time decision. Complicating matters further for the Jags offence is an injury to CJ Beathard’s non-throwing shoulder, and the loss of receiver Christian Kirk due to an abdominal injury that is expected to sideline him indefinitely.
If neither Lawrence nor Beathard can go, opportunity could knock for Nathan Rourke, who emerged as a CFL star while starting nine games for the BC Lions in 2022. But in addition to having no NFL game experience, and missing Christian Kirk, Rourke would also have to contend with injuries to both star rusher Travis Etienne Jr. and receiver Zay Jones, both of whom were limited at practice.
Cleveland Browns
The combination of inclement weather and a growing Jaguars injury report could be just what the doctor ordered for the slumping Browns. Of course, Cleveland is still struggling with big injury troubles of their own. Receivers Amari Cooper and Marquise Goodwin are both dealing with concussions that kept them off the field at practice, along with rusher Kareem Hunt, who was DNP on Wednesday with a groin injury.
The Browns defence is also banged up, with linemen Myles Garrett and Ogbo Okoronkwo, and cornerback Denzel Ward missing time at practice. However, this team may have found a temporary solution under centre in Joe Flacco, who exceeded expectations by tossing for 254 yards and two score in his first start of the season last week. Indeed, Flacco’s veteran presence is just what this team needs to grind out a badly needed win against a hobbled opponent on a wet day in from of the Dawg Pound.
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