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    Browns vs. Jaguars spread, odds, pick: Cleveland will be without Myles Garrett and perhaps Denzel Ward

    The Browns could be without their two best defensive players Sunday in Jacksonville.
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    The Cleveland Browns haven't finished with a non-losing record since 2007 but could guarantee themselves at least a .500 mark this year with a win at terrible Jacksonville on Sunday in Week 12. Cleveland is a 6.5-point favorite on the William Hill Sportsbook NFL odds but could be without their two best defensive players in end Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward. At 7-3, the Browns have their best record through 10 games since 1994 when Bill Belichick was the team's coach.

    Garrett was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last Friday and sat out Sunday's 22-17 win over Philadelphia. Coach Kevin Stefanski already has said that Garrett will remain on that list and not play against the Jaguars. Missing those two games could cost Garrett a shot at winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year; he's tied for the league lead with 9.5 sacks (the Rams' Aaron Donald has 9.0 and plays Monday night in Tampa).

    Cleveland didn't miss Garrett much vs. the Eagles as the team's other starting defensive end, Olivier Vernon, had a career-high three sacks, including one of Philly quarterback Carson Wentz for a safety.

    Ward, meanwhile, was to have an MRI on Monday for a calf injury. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft was terrific against the Eagles, playing every snap with four passes broken up and a pick. He also helped create a pick-six for teammate Sione Takitaki by hitting Wentz as he was releasing the ball. On the season, Ward has 37 tackles, 15 passes defensed, two picks and a forced fumble.

    The Browns probably don't need Garrett or Ward to beat the Jaguars as they have lost nine in a row and allowed at least 24 points in each of those. That's the longest such streak in franchise history. The nine-game skid ties a team single-season record as the Jags also lost nine in a row in 2016 and GM Dave Caldwell fired coach Gus Bradley after the ninth loss. It's frankly stunning that current Coach Doug Marrone still has his job.

    Jacksonville saw four key defenders leave Sunday's game: Linebacker Josh Allen (knee), cornerback Chris Claybrooks (groin), safety Daniel Thomas (arm) and cornerback D.J. Hayden (knee). Claybrooks was only starting because Sidney Jones (Achilles) was out and CJ Henderson went on IR with a groin injury. 

    So which teams should you back in Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season? And which Super Bowl contender goes down HARD? ... Join SportsLine right now to see who wins and covers every single NFL game this week, plus get the exact final score, all from the acclaimed model that has returned over $7,800 on its top-rated NFL picks!

    SportsLine Staff

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