Analyzing four crucial moments in the Browns' 19-7 loss to the Jaguars…
- The Browns offense had a first quarter to forget, and a DeShone Kizer interception was the low moment.
On Cleveland's second possession of the game, Kizer looked down the field for Corey Coleman. The second-year receiver darted across the middle and was guarded tightly by Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Kizer tried to squeeze the fastball into a tight spot but didn't account for linebacker Telvin Smith, who reached across his body to snag the interception.
Smith took it back to the 33-yard line, and the Jaguars were in the end zone four plays later. Blake Bortles found a wide open Marcedes Lewis for a 10-yard touchdown to put Jacksonville ahead, 7-0, midway through the first quarter.
- Cleveland's offense failed to pick up first downs on most of its first half drives. It came alive for one big one, though, and it resulted in a Browns touchdown.
Kizer completed back-to-back passes to Coleman to get the Browns into Jaguars territory. After Kizer picked up 10 yards on a third-down run, the playbook opened up a bit. Duke Johnson Jr. motioned to the slot, Kizer dropped back and hit the running back in stride for a 27-yard touchdown pass.
The pass was Kizer's longest touchdown throw of the season. Kizer completed all three of his first-half completions on that drive.
- The game ground to an offensive halt in the third quarter, and Cleveland trailed by just a field goal heading into the fourth quarter. Early in the period, the Browns moved the chains with a promising first down but gave the ball right back on a costly Kizer interception.
Looking at Rashard Higgins, Kizer sailed the pass well over his intended target's head. A.J. Bouye, who was guarding Coleman on the play, was in the right place at the right time and came away with the pick.
The interception withstood a booth review, and the Jaguars capitalized with a little insurance on the following possession. Josh Lambo made his second field goal to extend the lead, 13-7.
- The Browns got one last shot to come away with their first victory. Cleveland took possession at its 22-yard line with plenty of time to drive down the field and score.
The Jaguars defense simply didn't break, and the Browns turned it over one more time.
After a highlight-reel play by Johnson put Cleveland inside Jacksonville territory, the Browns couldn't get another yard. Kizer threw a deep incomplete pass on first down and threw behind Coleman on the following play. On third down, Kizer was crushed by multiple Jaguars defenders and fumbled.
The play was initially ruled a sack but replay showed the ball squirt out before Kizer hit the ground.
Given another shot with less time and no timeouts, the Browns gave it back on the first play. Kizer was sacked, fumbled and Jacksonville recovered in the end zone for the game-sealing touchdown.
The Browns play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11.