A breather for a change

The timing could not be any better. In fact, it could be called exquisite.

The Browns begin the semifinal phase of their 16-game schedule Sunday in the worst physical shape of the season. That's the bad news. 

So what's the good news? Hold on. Before getting to that, a breakdown of the absentees.

Missing from the lineup against the Jaguars down in Jacksonville will be six members of the defense including three ends, a linebacker and two members of the secondary. Surely enough to make a difference in any game.

But this is not just any game. And this is where the good news sneaks into the picture. This one is against a team that has lost nine straight games after winning their season opener and is in much worse physical shape than Cleveland.

The Browns are extremely fortunate at this time of the season to being playing the Jaguars, having the kind of season the Browns have labored through numerous times in the last two decades. All of their big playmakers are sidelined.

The Browns should have little trouble with the Jags despite the absence of defensive ends Myles Garrett, Porter Gustin and Joe Jackson, linebacker Sione Takitaki and defensive backs Denzel Ward and Sheldrick Redwine. 

That's because 6-7 Mike Glennon is starting at quarterback. He is the personification of a National Football League journeyman, playing for his fifth team in the last five seasons. This will be his first start since week four of the 2017 season with Chicago. The only reason he is starting is because Gardner Minshew II has a sore thumb and rookie Jake Luton has been awful.

The Jags will also be without wide receivers DJ Chark and Chris Conley, guard Andrew Norwell (their best lineman) on offense, and edge rusher Josh Allen and three-fourths of their starting secondary. Advantage: Definitely the Browns.

Besides, the weather down in north Florida will be absolutely gorgeous compared do what the Browns experienced at home for three straight games. The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-70s with 85% humidity and a chance of a stray shower or thundershower.

The Jaguars have been terrible all season for a number of reasons. They cannot protect their quarterbacks (30 sacks) and do not abuse opposing quarterbacks (just nine sacks and the injured Allen has two and a half of those). 

What the Jaguars do well is run the football, rookie James Robinson averaging 76 yards a game. But the Browns, with few exceptions, have been strong against the run this season. Look for defensive boss Joe Woods to crowd the line of scrimmage and force Glennon to throw. Glennon says he is ready.

"I have nothing to lose," he said earlier this week. "I don't know when this opportunity is going to come my way again. I'm just going to go out there, have fun,  let it rip and see what happens."

Jags coach Doug Marrone defended his benching of Luton for Glennon. "Mike is experienced," he said. "That's why we brought him in here -- to be able to fill in whenever we need him. So he'll get his opportunity."

In the wake of all the injuries -- a few COVID-19 related -- the Browns have scrambled, especially on defense, elevating Cameron Malveaux (end)  and Joey Ivie IV (tackle) from the practice squad to bolster the line. 

Malveaux, who made a couple of big plays in the victory last Sunday against Philadelphia, should get more than the eight snaps he had in that one. With Garrett and Gustin out, it's also possible Woods will move defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson outside for several snaps to give the hot Olivier Vernon some help on the other side.

In the secondary, cornerback Kevin Johnson most likely will move outside from the slot to replace Ward (calf strain, out for several weeks) with Robert Jackson and/or MJ Stewart Jr. manning the slot. String safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. will definitely play against his ex-teammates and Karl Joseph is ready in case free safety Andrew Sendejo can't play.

On offense, the only possible change might come at right guard, where Wyatt Teller is hurting again. In the event Teller can't go, Chris Hubbard, fresh off the injured list, can fill in. The club recalled guard Michael Dunn from the practice squad as insurance.

This is a game the Browns have no business losing. These are the kind of teams they have thrived on all season. All but one of their seven victories have been against losing teams. Their only losses were to teams with winning records.

Look for the Browns to manhandle the Jacksonville defense and provide the possibility of a couple of 100-yard days for running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Quarterback Baker Mayfield's day will involve throwing the football no more than 25 times, including his first touchdown pass (to rookie tight end Harrison Bryant) since week seven. 

The makeshift defense will struggle at first, but adjust to eventually make Glennon look like a journeyman, dropping him at least three times and picking him off twice as the record improves to 8-3. Make it:

Browns 31, Jaguars 17