Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 30, 2013 http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20131201005&home=5&vis=30 (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns were flirting with playoff contention just two weeks ago. Now, after two disappointing setbacks they find themselves on the brink of an all-too-familiar position - a last-place finish. While the Jacksonville Jaguars already saw their postseason chances evaporate long ago, it hasn't kept them from playing solid football of late. Cleveland hopes Brandon Weeden can turn things around when he makes his first start in more than a month Sunday against the visiting Jaguars. The Browns (4-7) were very much alive in the murky AFC playoff picture until suffering back-to-back divisional losses by a combined 37 points. Those results saw them slide to last place in the AFC North - a spot they've finished eight of the last 10 years. Any more losses would prove almost fatal to their slim postseason hopes. They committed four turnovers in consecutive games for the first time since December 2004. They haven't done so in three straight contests since December 1978. Accounting for two of those turnovers was Weeden, who replaced Jason Campbell after he suffered a concussion late in the first half of Sunday's 27-11 loss to Pittsburgh. Weeden was 13 of 30 for 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception while also fumbling once. With Campbell still sidelined, the twice-demoted Weeden will make his first start since an Oct. 20 loss to Green Bay. Cleveland hasn't won with Weeden as its starting quarterback since Dec. 9. Weeden was greeted by boos almost as soon as he came in against the Steelers, though he said the lack of crowd support doesn't bother him. "I know that he has the backing of his teammates," coach Rob Chudzinski said. "The type of guys that we have in the locker room, their support for him, they want to win and everybody realizes that Brandon needs to play well, as everybody does." Once having the look of a potential winless club with eight straight double-digit losses to begin their season, the Jaguars (2-9) appear to be making progress. They've won two of three with victories at Tennessee and Houston, and seek their first consecutive victories since December 2010. "Our objective is to really sustain this and play at a high level all the time regardless of who we play," coach Gus Bradley said. "That's what we're really striving our team to get to, where they play their best all the time. If we do that, the wins will take care of themselves." A resurgent defense has keyed Jacksonville's improvement, surrendering 218 yards in last week's 13-6 victory over the Texans, its fewest allowed in two years. The run defense has been especially stingy, yielding an average of 58.0 yards in the last three contests after giving up 161.8 per game in the first eight. "We really locked into a couple (defenses), but I think our guys are starting to understand it better," Bradley said. "I think they're getting a comfort level now of how to play their responsibility yet keep themselves alive for the whole play. That's what you're seeing on tape. You're seeing guys do that now, and because of it, they're playing with more confidence." The Jaguars also discovered some offensive balance versus Houston, with Maurice Jones-Drew recording a season-high 144 total yards and running for a touchdown for the third straight game. He could be in for a difficult day against a Browns defense that ranks sixth against the run (97.7 ypg) and is one of three clubs yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. However, Jones-Drew is averaging 100.7 rushing yards over his last three games versus Cleveland. For the Browns, receiver Josh Gordon is likely to draw a lot of attention after tying a team-record with 14 catches for a franchise-best 237 yards against Pittsburgh. He's just 301 yards shy of Braylon Edwards' single-season record of 1,289 set in 2007. "It really doesn't mean that much to me," Gordon said. "After taking a loss like that, it means nothing. If we can't go out there and win, I really don't care about it." Jacksonville held Houston's Andre Johnson to a season-low two catches after he entered averaging 7.2 per game - the league's fourth-best mark. The Jaguars lead the series 9-5 but have dropped three of the last four meetings including a 14-10 defeat in Cleveland on Nov. 20, 2011. Jones-Drew totaled 118 yards on 25 touches with a score. I've bashed Weeden all week, so we're probably going to lose to him. Still kinda absurd that we're 7 point underdogs to the Browns... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted November 30, 2013 Vegas really views them as 4 point underdogs. Remember the home team always gets spotted 3. Though they did open the game with the Browns as 10 point favorites, so technically you're right about 7. The bettors have bid it down to 7 after a lot of people took the Jags +10 when it opened. I actually have the Jags winning this week. 17 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 30, 2013 There's gonna be indifference in the streets! 23 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tridentdawgpound 1,043 Posted November 30, 2013 (edited) - Eleventy Brock - Negative Points Edited November 30, 2013 by Tridentdawgpound 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted December 1, 2013 Too many Jags picks. Which means Browns win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 1, 2013 Mike Brown (shoulder) is active for Week 13 against the Browns. Brown missed last week's game against the Texans but is back after getting in limited practice sessions this week. At less than 100 percent, he's not a reliable fantasy option. Inactive for the Jaguars are DE Jeremy Mincey, QB Ricky Stanzi, WR Jeremy Ebert, WR Stephen Burton, RB Justin Forsett, CB Jamell Fleming, and OL Jacques McClendon. Browns declared Jason Campbell (concussion), ILB Craig Robertson, ILB Tank Carder, OL Martin Wallace, OL Garrett Gilkey, OL Reid Fragel, and DT Ishmaa'ily Kitchen inactive for Week 13 versus Jacksonville. Campbell suffered a concussion last week against the Steelers. Brandon Weeden will make the start. Robertson and Carder are both injured, so Darius Eubanks will make his first career start at inside linebacker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 1, 2013 Brandon Weeden is so bad guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted December 1, 2013 Good job Jags! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barracuda 629 Posted December 1, 2013 FUCKING PITIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tridentdawgpound 1,043 Posted December 2, 2013 I would like to thank the Jags, Vikings, and Falcons for making our path to #1 overall easier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) FUCKING PITIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL This is literately what every player and fan has said this year when they lose to us. Guess we're not the "worst team in NFL history" after all eh? EDIT: Oh yeah, I'm going to the Jags game this Thursday against the Texans. Edited December 2, 2013 by CampinWithGoatSampson 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 2, 2013 Jags are still in the playoff hunt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted December 3, 2013 Jags are still in the playoff hunt! https://twitter.com/ChrisBurke_SI/status/407939535595524096/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
