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.