Ever since beginning the season 1-2, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been on a tear, winning seven of eight games while establishing themselves as one of the league’s most balanced products. Can they keep that momentum going against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14?
Kickoff for this game is scheduled for Sunday, December 10, at 1 p.m. eastern standard time, on the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. And if the latest NFL online betting odds are any indication, the Jaguars are far from guaranteed another victory:
Please remember to double-check these online NFL betting odds until you actually submit your wager. Our Browns vs. Jaguars Week 14 betting odds are accurate entering Friday, December 1. That gives the best NFL online betting sites plenty of time to make adjustments leading into opening kick-off on Sunday afternoon.
If you find yourself surprised that the Jaguars aren’t heavier favorites heading into this matchup with the Browns, you’re not alone. Cleveland’s offense has mostly looked anemic since losing quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season. And while they have a winning record, their odds to make the NFL playoffs have plummeted without him.
On the flip side, though, Jacksonville isn’t exactly the billboard for consistency. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks a lot healthier over the past eight weeks, but his passing stats often run hot and cold. The team’s defense has also been spotty against the rush when guarding in the middle of the field.
Could this open the door for Cleveland to pull off the upset and improve their 2024 NFL playoff odds? Or have oddsmakers missed the mark by not making Jacksonville more than a 2-to-1 favorite?
Making a Case for the Cleveland Browns to Beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14 is Actually Pretty Hard
There is no pathway to the Browns’ offense turning in above-average performances without Watson under center. Their backup quarterbacks are nothing to write home about, and the ground game has been lackluster overall despite having a rock-solid offensive line.
Cleveland is also averaging comfortably under 20 points per game when Watson doesn’t play. Over the past two weeks alone, they have combined for just 25 points and barely 300 passing yards.
This isn’t a recipe for any sort of success when going up against competent passing defenses. Granted, the Jaguars have struggled guarding plays through the air. They are 26th in passing touchdowns allowed and 23rd in net yards surrendered per passing attempt.
But this only means something if Jacksonville is forced to defend quality quarterbacks. Cleveland isn’t running someone like that out under center. Heck, the Browns don’t even know who they’re starting yet. Dorian Thompson-Robinson might not be ready for Sunday’s tilt. If he isn’t, the 38-year-old Joe Flacco will get the nod. And if Thompson-Robinson is good to go, well, he’s averaging just 3.9 yards per passing attempt at the moment.
Jacksonville should not have any trouble defending this team—or, equally important, winning this game.
OSB Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars (-174)
Is There a Possibility that Cleveland vs. Jacksonville Could Turn Into a Blowout?
If you were hoping the Browns vs. Jaguars point spread betting odds would offer clearer separation between the two, you’re out of luck. Oddsmakers have set the line inside four points, as you can see below:
- Jacksonville Jaguars, -3.5 (-105)
- Cleveland Browns, +3.5 (-115)
Anyone who counts themselves as a Jaguars believer will love this line. And, well, that includes us.
Jacksonville has picked up their past seven victories by an average of 11.1 points. That margin is smaller on the road; it’s in single digits. But it’s still higher than 3.5 points.
Creating separation from the Browns should be even easier. Their offense without Deshaun Watson has been unable to consistently move the ball through the air. None of their backup QB options are completing even 54 percent of their passes, and that allows defenses to load up against the run while sending aggressive blitzes.
This is all right up the Jaguars’ alley. Their defense has been more aggressive in recent weeks. After sacking opposing quarterbacks on just 4.1 percent of their plays through the first eight games of the season, Jacksonville is getting them to the ground on 9 percent of offensive plays over their past three outings. Cleveland’s offensive line is a bear. But only so much can be done when the quarterback position is a certified weakness.
OSB Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars, -3.5 (-105)
Can the Browns Figure Out How to Score on the Jaguars without Deshaun Watson?
Everyone should expect each remaining Cleveland game to have an over/under that checks in below 40 points. And the Browns vs. Jaguars over/under betting odds are no exception:
- Over 39.5 (-110)
- Under 39.5 (-110)
Frankly, this over/under might be too high. As we already mentioned, the Browns notched a combined 25 points over their past two games. And to be honest, their passing attack wasn’t overly special even with Watson calling the shots under center.
Of course, an offensive explosion from the Jaguars could change everything. They are no stranger to those. Jacksonville has topped 30 points three times in the past six games.
Then again, the Jaguars have also labored through stretches in which they struggle to put points on the board. Lawrence has also thrown for 250-plus yards in back-to-back games just once this season. And for all the flaws the Browns now have, their passing defense verges on elite. They are second in net yards allowed per passing attempt and also second in total passing touchdowns allowed.
Although we fully expect the Jaguars to grab a “W,” this game could get sloggy.
OSB Prediction: Under 39.5 (-110)
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