CLEVELAND, Ohio – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key plays from the Jaguars’ 31-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in a 2023 Week 14 game in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday
1. A kick and a kick. Sunday’s final minutes came down to two kicks – and both went the Browns’ way. First, the Browns extended their lead to double digits with a 55-yard field goal by kicker Dustin Hopkins with 3:10 remaining. The Jaguars then cut a 31-21 lead to 31-27 lead with a two-yard pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence to tight end Evan Engram, with Lawrence being sacked on the two-point attempt. Browns wide receiver James Proche recovered the ensuing onside kick with 1:33 remaining to secure the victory.
2. Fuuuuumble – and six. The Jaguars’ defense struggled on two first-half drives – but the unit came up with two big first-half takeaways. The biggest may have been a fumble that led to a much-needed first offensive touchdown of the game. The Browns led 14-0 midway through the second quarter when quarterback Joe Flacco passed to wide receiver Amari Cooper, who fumbled after a 19-yard gain to the Browns 24. Linebacker Devin Lloyd recovered the fumble that was forced by safety Andrew Wingard, returning it to the Browns 12. Lawrence two plays later passed 10 yards to tight end Evan Engram for a touchdown that cut the Browns’ lead to 14-7 with 6:14 remaining in the second quarter. “He’s playing really well right now,” Lawrence said of Engram, who caught 11 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns Sunday.
3. Saaack, fumble and a touchdown. The Jaguars scrapped back into the game in the third quarter, forcing a third Browns turnover that they turned into a touchdown. Jaguars rookie safety Antonio Johnson sacked Flacco, turning second-and-10 at the Browns 33 into a fumble that defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter recovered at the Browns 25. “It was just a great call [by Defensive Coordinator Mike Caldwell] for the perfect play,” Johnson said. Running back Travis Etienne Jr.’s one-yard run cut the Browns’ lead to 21-14 with 4:59 remaining in the third quarter. Key play on the drive: A 16-yard reception by wide receiver Calvin Ridley on third-and-12 from the Browns 17.