Browns vs. Jaguars score, takeaways: Joe Flacco throws 3 TDs, Trevor Lawrence three picks in Cleveland win

Flacco's big day keyed Cleveland's eighth win of the season

To quote NFL Films legend John Facenda, Sunday's game between the Browns and Jaguars was fiercely fought but frightfully flawed. The Browns recorded a 31-27 win in a game that included seven turnovers. 

Along with the turnovers, the story of the game was Joe Flacco, who picked up his 100th career regular-season win. The 38-year-old, former Super Bowl MVP threw three touchdowns and eclipsed 300 passing yards for the first time since he defeated the Browns as the Jets quarterback in Week 2 of the 2022 season. Flacco played so well that Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after the win that he will be the team's starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. 

Flacco started the game with a pair of touchdown strikes to tight end David Njoku on play-action passes. Ahead 14-7 at halftime, the Browns enjoyed leads of 21-7 and 28-14 in the second half but were unable to pull away from the Jaguars thanks to three turnovers forced by Jacksonville's defense. 

Fortunately for Cleveland, the Browns came up with four turnovers of their own that included three interceptions off Trevor Lawrence, who was clearly compromised by his injured ankle. Lawrence's third pick, courtesy of defensive back Greg Newsome II, set up Flacco's touchdown pass to David Bell that stretched Cleveland's lead to 28-14 early in the fourth quarter. 

Ahead 28-21, the Browns defense forced a turnover on downs that set up Dustin Hopkins' 55-yard field goal with 3:10 left. The Jaguars rallied for a late score, but were unable to mount a comeback after James Proche scooped by the ensuing onside kick with 1:32 remaining. 

Here's a closer look at Cleveland's win. 

Why the Browns won

The Browns continue to get winning quarterback play, regardless of who is under center. Cleveland is just the 13th team since 1950 to have four different quarterbacks start multiple games (h/t ESPN). Each quarterback has now won at least one of their starts. 

Flacco was good, but he had help from a group of skill players who out-played their counterparts. Njoku caught six passes for 91 yards in the first half alone. Amari Cooper played hurt but still had 77 yards on seven grabs. Elijah Moore and rookie Cedric Tillman caught a combined five passes for 65 yards. Running back Jerome Ford gained a well-earned 82 total yards yards on 15 touches. 

Defensively, the Browns shut down Travis Etienne and the Jaguars' running game, thus putting more pressure on Lawrence. When Lawrence was forced to air it out, the Browns' secondary usually made him pay. One of Lawrence's favorite targets Sunday was Browns defensive back Martin Emerson, who had two picks. 

We can't forget the play of Browns punter Corey Bojorquez, who had a 72-yard punt and averaged 51.5 yards on his eight punts. 

Why the Jaguars lost 

As noted above, Lawrence didn't look like himself, which is understandable given the fact that he was playing on one good leg. With Lawrence compromised, the Browns' defense pressured him while forcing several errant passes. Lawrence wasn't helped by his running game and a receiving corps that did not have a great day sans Engram, who pulled down 11 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Lawrence clearly missed Christian Kirk, who will miss considerable time after getting hurt in last week's loss to the Bengals. 

While they did set up 14 points off forced turnovers, the Jaguars' defense had some ugly moments. They allowed two touchdown passes to wide open receivers and at times made Joe Flacco look like Joe Montana. 

Turning point 

Twice, the Jaguars were in position to tie the game after previously trailing by 14 points. Neither time, however, were they able to tie the score. The second occurrence took place late in the fourth quarter with the Browns protecting a 28-21 lead. 

After forcing a punt, the Jaguars took over at their own 20 with 4:24 left. After completing an 11-yard pass to Engram, Lawrence passed and ran for just seven yards on the Jaguars' next three plays, setting up a fourth-and-3 from their own 38. Instead of punting with three timeouts still in his back pocket, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson went for it and the Jags were turned back by Cleveland's defense. Lawrence was unable to connect with Zay Jones on fourth down, and the Browns took advantage of the short field by connecting on a long field goal, extending their lead to 10 points. 

That field goal turned out to be the difference in the game. 

Play of the game 

Flacco's touchdown pass to Bell was a thing of beauty. On the play, Flacco received a key block by running back Kareem Hunt, who made it a 21-7 game with his fourth-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Flacco then rolled right before spotting Bell, who got open after two Jaguars defenders followed Moore, who ran a similar route as Bell. With no one behind him, Bell quickly turned a short fourth down conversion into a 41-yard score. 

Quotable 

What's next 

Cleveland will host the Bears, who improved to 5-8 after upsetting the Lions on Sunday. Jacksonville will host the Ravens, who improved to 10-3 after defeating the Rams in overtime on Tylan Wallace's 76-yard punt return for a score. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:45 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Flacco kneels, and Browns prevail, 31-27. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:41 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jags inexplicably go for two and don't get it. Myles Garrett sacks Lawrence, so the Browns still up by four points. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:40 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Lawrence hits Engram again on a TD that was set up by a DPI. So Jacksonville still very much alive. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:34 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Lawrence nearly picked off again deep downfield. Jaguars really didn't respect the Browns' top-ranked pass defense today. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:27 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns tack on a FG, so the Jaguars need three scores in the game's final three minutes. Lawrence will have to be aggressive here. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:21 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Big BPU on fourth down, giving the Browns a first down deep in Jaguars territory. Jags still have three timeouts, but can't allow any points with 3:30 left. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:07 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

DTR comes into the game and keeps for a first down. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:05 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Grant Delpit is out of the game for the Browns. Delpit agreed to terms on a contract extension hours before kickoff. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 4:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

There we go. Parker Washington makes his presence felt with a TD catch to make it a one touchdown game. His second TD in as many weeks. 

Browns thought the play would be whistled dead pre snap, and that surely aided in the Jaguars' TD. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Bell's first NFL TD and Flacco's third TD of the day. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at the pick that set up the TD. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:48 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Flacco fires his third TD of the day to a wide open David Bell, so it's 28-14 early in the fourth quarter. 

Great game for Flacco, who is now at 305 passing yards for the day. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:45 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Greg Newsome picks off Lawrence, who has been intercepted three times today. That one didn't appear to be the receiver's fault. Lawrence overthrew it, and Browns have the ball in Jaguars territory. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:41 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Anyone's game entering the fourth. Jaguars down 21-14 and have the ball deep in their own territory. 

Both of the Jaguars touchdowns have come off turnovers.

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:36 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Johnson with a nice PBU on third down to help force a Browns punt. Jags have a golden chance to tie the score. 

They've come up short in similar situations. We'll see if this time is any different. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:33 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Clutch completion to Elijah Moore to give the Browns a first down. Moore, Cooper, Tillman and Njoku are a nice quartet. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:30 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's the FF that set up the TD. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:28 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Etienne punches it home, so it's a 21-14 game late in the third quarter. Big momentum change following Johnson's FF of Flacco. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:21 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Antonio Johnson blitzes and rocks Flacco, forcing a fumble. So Jaguars defense once again gives their offense a golden opportunity to get points. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:17 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns bring the house and sack Lawrence on third down. As expected, the Browns are taking advantage of Lawrence's injury with pressures. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:10 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Kareem Hunt takes it home, and the Browns extend their lead to 28-14, regaining their 14-point lead. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:06 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rookie Cedric Tillman makes a nice effort after the catch. Browns on the verge of adding to their lead. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:05 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jags wideouts continue to let Lawrence down. Rookie Parker Washington's first catch is a fumble on third and a mile. A safe check down turns into a TO. Heads-up by play Anthony Walker forcing the fumble. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 3:01 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jaguars to get the ball to start the second half. Third down execution is going to be key for them in the second half, and that's going to require a better performance from the team's wideouts. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 2:52 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Halftime stats

Score: Browns 14-7
Total yards: Browns 266-129
Third down: Jags 2-8, Browns 1-8
TOP: Jags 15:02

Lawrence: 11/22, 100 yards, 1 TD, 2 sacks
Flacco: 17/27, 212 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Etienne: 10 carries, 42 yards
Ford: 6 carries, 45 yards
Engram: 5 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD
Njoku: 6 catches, 91 yards, 2 TD
Emerson: 2 INT 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 2:47 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Very long half ends with Browns on top, 14-7. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 2:42 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jags wideouts have not had a good half. Not making enough combat catches and don't appear to be on the same page with Lawrence at times. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 2:38 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns forced to punt, so Jaguars will get yet another chance to score before halftime. 

Long first half. To compare, the Bengals-Colts game is underway in the second half. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 2:36 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Emerson's second pick of the day. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 2:33 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Emerson's second pick of the half preserves the Browns' 14-7 lead. Well, I said Lawrence was in rhythm, but that didn't look good. Definitely a miscommunication between Lawrence and Ridley.