Jacksonville Jaguars predictions: Wait a sec, the Browns are favored by how many experts?

There's a quarterback conundrum in the lead-up to the Jacksonville Jaguars' game this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

Trevor Lawrence was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain after leaving in the fourth quarter of Monday night's overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. "I feel a lot better than I would have thought," Lawrence said Wednesday, though he's still day-to-day ahead of Sunday's game. If Lawrence can't go, C.J. Beathard will get the start. He went 9 of 10 for 63 yards in relief Monday.

The Jaguars (8-4) could use their starting quarterback as they try to hold onto their lead in the AFC South. Meanwhile, the Browns (6-6) are already down to their backups with Deshaun Watson out for the season with a shoulder injury. Joe Flacco, who was signed just two weeks prior, started last week's 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams because Dorian Thompson-Robinson was in concussion protocol. The rookie is back at practice, but his status for Sunday is unknown.

With a lot still up in the air, who is going to win a surprisingly important game for playoff implications? Here's a look at what NFL reporters and analysts predict will happen:

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Browns 17-16

"Cleveland has a superb defense, but with Trevor Lawrence likely sidelined — and with the Browns having their own quarterback situation up in the air — I would stay away from this altogether. But as things stand now, I’ll very cautiously take the Jags to cover the spread."

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Browns 16-13

"The Jaguars will be without Trevor Lawrence following a devastating home loss to the Bengals on Monday night. C.J. Beathard going on the road against a defense that plays much better at home isn't the most appealing situation. Joe Flacco plays well enough on the other side as a backup for the Browns to steal a low-scoring battling of attrition."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Browns 20-14

"The Jaguars will likely start C.J. Beathard for the injured Trevor Lawrence, while Joe Flacco could start again for the Browns. The Cleveland defense is the better of the two, which will really challenge the Jacksonville offense. This will be a low-scoring game, but Cleveland will win it late."

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Browns 20-16

"Cleveland needs to turn things around after a disastrous road trip."

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: Browns 21-16

Sobleski was one of four members of the seven-person Bleacher Report panel to back the Browns. "Cleveland's latest matchup comes down to the Jaguars' quarterback position," he wrote. "If Trevor Lawrence somehow plays with a high ankle sprain, he won't be mobile, and the Browns' aggressive front can pin its ears back and make life miserable throughout the afternoon.

"If Lawrence doesn't play and a more nimble C.J. Beathard starts, Cleveland still holds a significant advantage since Jacksonville's left tackle Cam Robinson is currently on injured reserve, and the Browns can attack the reworked left side of the Jaguars' offensive line."

Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY: Jags 20-17

"The Browns' defense is still ranked first in the league, but allowed 36 points last week in a loss to the Rams, the second-highest by an opponent this season. With Myles Garrett dealing with injury and Joe Flacco’s poor performance leaving a question mark at quarterback, Cleveland is struggling. Trevor Lawrence’s ankle is a major concern for Jacksonville, but the Jaguars thrive on the road and will pounce on a wounded Cleveland."

Dan Parr, NFL.com: Browns 17-13

Parr and three other NFL.com experts picked Cleveland, while only Brooke Cersosimo picked Jacksonville.

"The starting quarterbacks for both teams have not been confirmed as of this writing, so I'm picking the defense I trust the most in this matchup," wrote Parr. "Yes, the Browns' once-stout D has fallen on hard times, getting shredded for 32.5 points per game and nearly 350 yards per game in its last two outings, but at least the offenses in those contests had their starting quarterbacks. Jacksonville is licking its wounds after being scorched by Bengals backup Jake Browning. Asking the shorthanded Jaguars -- on a short week, no less -- to remain undefeated on the road seems like too tall a task."

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Browns 28-26

"The Browns have played three quarterbacks over the last three weeks, and it’s starting to show. Those quarterbacks have a combined completion percentage of 51.9% the last three weeks. There is always the Jacksonville-in-cold-weather factor, and if Trevor Lawrence (ankle) misses this game we will go with the Browns at home."

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Browns 20-16

"Trevor Lawrence’s status for Week 14 is uncertain. High ankle sprains typically keep players sidelined for a few weeks. Lawrence won’t be 100% even if he does play. The Browns have lost two straight on the road and their defense hasn’t been the same away from Cleveland. The Browns are going to need their No. 1 ranked defense to perform this week at home to beat a banged-up Jags squad."

John Breech, CBS Sports: Browns 20-13 (20-17 if Trevor Lawrence plays)

"For most teams, it doesn't usually matter what the weather is going to be, but it matters for the Jaguars because no one hates cold weather more than them. The game-time temperature on Sunday is expected to be about 45 degrees, which I'm only noting because since the start of the 2018 season, the Jaguars are 1-12 in any game where the kickoff temperature is below 45 degrees. And that only win came against the 2022 Jets, so I'm not even sure we can technically count that as a win.

" ... If (C.J.) Beathard does start, he'll be starting his first game since 2020 and he'll be doing it against a Browns defense that's surrendering just 260.5 yards per game this season, which ranks FIRST overall in the NFL. The Jaguars have faced two other defenses ranked in the top five and they averaged SIX points per game in those contests and that was WITH (Trevor) Lawrence (They lost to the Chiefs 17-9 and they lost to the 49ers 34-3). They might not score a single point against the Browns."

Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Browns 20-16

Jaguars-Browns betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, December 7.

• Spread: Browns (-3)

• Over/under: 31 points

• Moneyline: Jaguars +140, Browns -165

How can I watch Jaguars vs. Browns?

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday, December 10

• Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• TV: CBS

• Streaming: Paramount+ (7-day free trial), NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL+ (out-of-market only), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

Jaguars vs. Browns can be seen on CBS. Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play duties with Charles Davis serving as analyst.

Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Jaguars schedule 2023

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jaguars vs Browns predictions: NFL experts pick Week 14 game