The Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off the preseason on Saturday night. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Browns-Jaguars prediction and pick.
The two franchises are currently at different times in their journey to the top. The Browns will be hoping to build on last year's success as they finished the 2020 season with an 11-5 regular-season record and advanced to the AFC Divisional round for the first time since 1994.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars will be hoping to string together more than one win after going just 1-15 last season.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Browns-Jaguars Odds.
NFL Odds: Browns-Jaguars Odds
Cleveland Browns +2.5 (-105)
Jacksonville Jaguars -2.5 (-115)
Over 37 points (-105)
Under 37 points (-115)
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Why The Jaguars Could Cover
New Coach Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars will be using this match as an opportunity to decide which players will make the first-team roster, as there are still questions on whether No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence or two-year incumbent Garner Minshew will be the Week 1 starter.
Always applying pressure.@J_Hammond10 | @Dream_Finders pic.twitter.com/kGZ4ObeaVh
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 11, 2021
Another key battle taking place for Jacksonville is at running back position, surrounding second-year professional Cam Robinson, who rushed for over a thousand yards in his rookie season, and No. 25 overall draft pick Travis Etienne.
With the Jaguars still dealing with multiple depth chart battles in key offensive positions, expect them to approach this game with a regular-season game-like mentality and allow both quarterbacks multiple first-team reps.
Why The Browns Could Cover
Many believe the Browns are a true contender this season because of their depth throughout the roster. That will be put to the test throughout the preseason, as Coach Kevin Stefanski has already made it clear that Baker Mayfield and a majority of their starters will not play.
That means that the Browns will start Case Keenum under center. Keenum will be one of the more experienced quarterbacks to see action this preseason, as he is a nine-year veteran and started all 16 regular-season games for the Denver Broncos in 2018.
UPDATE: Kevin Stefanski says QB Baker Mayfield will not play in 1st preseason game.
📑 » https://t.co/DTgnFP9Hrl https://t.co/QJZE9ieNZb
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 11, 2021
Defense will be the biggest focus for the Browns this preseason. In 2020, they finished in the middle of the pack statistically and made it clear they are looking to improve that during the offseason.
They made two huge improvements to the defensive line by signing Jadeveon Clowney and Malik Jackson and drafted two potential starters in Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
Final Browns-Jaguars Prediction & Pick
Preseason results mean much more to the Jaguars as they will be looking to begin the Urban Meyer era on a positive note. Expect Jacksonville to play their starters for a longer period of time and potentially try to run up the score late to boost team morale.
For those reasons, look for the Jacksonville Jaguars to take the win at home and cover the spread.
FINAL BROWNS-JAGUARS PREDICTION & PICK: Jaguars -2.5 (-115)
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