Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars, EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Sunday, November 21, 2010, 1:00 pm EST, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Jaguars -3
Current Line: Jaguars -1
Opening Total: 42
Current Total: 44
Money Line: Jaguars -130 / Browns +110
The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) were fortunate to escape last week’s game against Houston with a 31-24 win, avoiding overtime by completing a miraculous Hail Mary pass batted down by a Texans defender and into the hands of wide receiver Mike Thomas on what turned out to be the game’s final play. The Cleveland Browns (3-6) were not so lucky, needing just 16 seconds more to earn a tie against the Jets after battling for nearly 75 minutes in a tough 26-20 loss.
After playing well in back-to-back home games, the Browns now hit the road for the first time in nearly a month when they visit Jacksonville (-1) on Sunday. Cleveland’s last road game came in Week 7 at New Orleans and resulted in a stunning 30-17 win. The Browns picked up where they left off after their bye week with a big 34-14 win against New England before falling to New York.
Cleveland running back Peyton Hillis has been a force on the ground, rushing for 335 yards and four touchdowns in the last three games combined. But Hillis has gotten some help lately from rookie quarterback Colt McCoy, who has gradually improved since making his first start at Pittsburgh in Week 6. McCoy completed 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards and one touchdown against the Jets, although he could be without wide receiver Josh Cribbs (dislocated toes).
The Jaguars had a much different experience against Houston, blowing a 17-3 lead before connecting on the unlikely game-winning play at the end of regulation. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew led the way with 100 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns while quarterback David Garrard had his second straight impressive performance. Garrard had thrown for a career-high four touchdown passes in a 35-17 rout of Dallas on the road before the team’s bye week and then followed that up with a season-high 342 passing yards against the Texans.
As good as Jacksonville has looked in the last two games, the team was just as horrible in its previous two games. The Jags lost 42-20 at Kansas City in Week 7, which followed a 30-3 home loss to AFC South rival Tennessee on Monday Night Football. They have covered their last two games overall but have not been able to string together more than two wins or two losses – either straight-up or against the spread – this season. The OVER has cashed in their last three overall.
The Browns have won the past two meetings with Jacksonville both SU & ATS, including a 23-17 victory at home to end last season. The OVER is 4-2-1 in the last seven games between them.
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