Browns: 3 players who need to step up against the Jaguars
By Chad Porto
The Browns are finding themselves down several starters on defense against the Jaguars and a running game that has hit the wall.
The Browns are in a place where they’re not very accustomed, 7-3 and streaking to the playoffs. Granted, that’s easier said than done. While the Browns still have the Jaguars, Giants, and Jets on their schedule, they also still have the Ravens, Steelers, and Titans too.
So in order to get to a place where the Browns are controlling their destiny for playoff glory, they have to keep winning. The good news is that these games are all largely winnable. The Titans aren’t what they were last year defensively, the Ravens have fallen apart with Lamar Jackson taking a huge step back, and the Steelers will have the Browns in the final week of the season and there’s every chance in the world that they’re 14-1 or 15-0 in the final week, and opt to sit their starters.
It is very possible that the Browns can finish 13-3 or a least, 12-4. To get there, though, they have to get the job done against the Jaguars and these are the players who need to step up
Terrence Mitchell (and Kevin Johnson)
The Browns nickel-corner has had to start most of the year due to injuries and now Kevin Johnson will be thrust into the starting lineup as well. Mitchell has often been the target by opposing offenses, and he’s given up many a big play. Mitchell’s break down in coverage and usual inability to deter passes away from him has forced the Browns into some tricky spots, and now that Denzel Ward is out for the foreseeable future, dime-corner Johnson will be thrust into the starting lineup as well.
Made worse is the fact that as of Wednesday, Ronnie Harrison, one of the Browns starting safeties, is currently still listed as questionable for the game. Harrison, Ward, and Andrew Sendejo have largely been good over the last four or five games and this was an opportunity for the three of them to snack on some easy stats. With the only starter from Week 1 left standing being Sendejo, the Browns pass defense may have issues against the Jaguars’ backup quarterback, Mike Glennon, who was announced as the starter for Sunday’s game.