Jacksonville Jaguars: Defense continues to seal victories
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has made big plays this season, and clinched another win on Sunday against the Browns by coming up big late.
Defense has played a huge role in several games this season for the Jacksonville Jaguars. An interception in overtime against the Chargers helped Jacksonville get its third consecutive win. Due to the Jaguars offense sputtering at times, the defense came up big to seal the fourth win in a row in Week 11, coming out ahead 19-7.
Jacksonville scored first on a Blake Bortles pass to Marcedes Lewis. Josh Lambo added a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Jaguars led 10-0 as the snow began to fall and the temperatures dropped.
The Cleveland Browns did not quit after falling behind early. Although they were winless, this game appeared to be playing out to be one that they might steal a victory. DeShone Kizer hit Duke Johnson for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The Browns confidence began to grow. Jaguars fans got nervous.
Jacksonville led the game at the half, 10-7. The Jaguars had escaped the first half after allowing Cleveland to run back the opening kickoff 53 yards. Even after Brad Nortman shanked a punt which gave Cleveland excellent field position, the defense exerted its dominant ways on the Browns.
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This was the first game in cold weather for the Jaguars. Many thought that they cold would hamper or hinder the effectiveness of the team. Leonard Fournette made it known that he does not like cold weather. John Reid of Jacksonville.com reported:
"“ I hate the cold period,’’ Fournette said. “I sleep in the heat. That’s just how I grew up. Mentally I’m just trying to get my mind ready – that’s all.’’"
The Jaguars offense did all that they could due to a tough Browns defense. Fournette ran the ball 28 times for 111 yards. Bortles completed 17 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, the Jaguars front seven pressured Kizer all game long. Jacksonville had five sacks to push their season total to forty. Yannick Ngakoue led Jacksonville with 2.5 sacks.
Telvin Smith intercepted a first quarter pass that resulted in the Jaguars taking the initial lead of the game. A.J. Bouye had his fourth interception of the season to stop a Browns drive. Jacksonville’s defense held the Browns to 134 net yards passing and 50 net rushing yards.
Smith and Ngakoue teamed up to seal the Jaguars victory. With the ball on the Cleveland 20-yard line, Ngakoue blew by the Browns left tackle and stripped the ball away from Kizer. Smith recovered the ball in the end zone for the clinching score.
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The score by Smith made up for the early whistle which nullified a potential scoop and score by Dante Fowler earlier. Since all scores and turnovers are reviewed, why do officials away from the play feel the need to blow a whistle stopping the play? Jacksonville got the score back and sealed the deal in Cleveland.