The Cleveland Browns head to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars in their 2021 preseason opener, entering as 2.5-point underdogs. After breaking their playoff drought and winning a playoff game in 2020, the Browns look to take another step forward, though their main focus remains on the regular season.

Team Overview:

• Browns: Coming off playoff appearance, won't play many starters including Baker Mayfield
• Jaguars: Looking to improve after 1-15 season, rookie QB Trevor Lawrence expected to play

Key Points:

• Cleveland's run-heavy offense won't feature Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt much
• Browns defense, which held Chiefs to 22 points in playoffs, should remain solid
• Jaguars have new coaching staff and roster, making preseason crucial for development
• Jacksonville likely to play more starters, including first-team offense
• Home field advantage favors Jaguars, though crowd expected to be small

Analysis: While Cleveland is the stronger overall team, preseason results often come down to motivation and depth. Jacksonville has more incentive to win as they implement new systems, while the Browns are focused on evaluating roster spots. The Jaguars' decision to play more starters, including Lawrence, gives them a slight edge in this matchup.

Betting Line: Cleveland Browns +2.5 underdogs at Jacksonville

Related Articles

Previous Articles