Many believed the Cleveland Browns would be in tough this past Sunday without defensive end Myles Garrett of Arlington, Texas. The 24-year-old fourth-year standout had to miss the game against the Philadelphia Eagles because of a positive coronavirus test, and will have to miss the game this Sunday too against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However even though the Browns were without Garrett (who leads the NFL with 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2020), the Cleveland defense played at a high level against the NFC East Division-leading Eagles. In their 22-17 win over the Eagles, the Browns defense had five sacks, one safety, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, four three-and-outs, and a touchdown, without their best defensive player. The touchdown came on a 50-yard interception return by Sione Takitaki of Fontana, California. The pick six came only one minute and 25 seconds into the second quarter, and Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz could not rebound well thereafter.
Takitaki recorded one of two Browns interceptions in the game. The other went to Denzel Ward of Cleveland.
The Browns also had a strong performance from defensive end Olivier Vernon of Miami, Florida. Vernon had five tackles, four solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and three sacks.
Now on Sunday, the Browns face a Jaguars squad that has only scored 202 points all season. That is the second fewest total points in the AFC. Only the New York Jets at 149 points, have scored less. With the Jaguars at 1-9 (only win in week one in a 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts), it is safe to say the Browns should win easily even without Garrett, and improve to eight wins and three losses.
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