Here are the five questions facing the Cleveland Browns as they play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars selected quarterbacks in the first round of the NFL draft, Sunday's matchup was expected to be the first meeting between Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles.
That will have to wait.
Brian Hoyer, now 6-2 as the Browns' starting QB dating back to last year, has made Manziel an afterthought and sometimes-decoy in package plays. Thanks in part to Hoyer, the Browns have a two-game winning streak and a top 10 offense.
Jacksonville, on the other hand, made the switch to Bortles in the second half of the Week 3 loss against Indianapolis, hoping to spark the team. While the Jaguars remain winless, they have played better with Bortles at the helm, scaring both the Steelers and Titans.
The last time the Browns and Jaguars played was Dec. 1, 2013, the second of what turned into a three-game winning streak for Jacksonville, and the Browns will look to continue their ascension in a game some have labeled a "trap."
The Browns should have no problem beating the Jaguars provided the plane shows up on time. However, it's the NFL and there's a reason there's the phrase "any given Sunday" so here are the five questions in the game between Cleveland and Jacksonville:
Will Joe Haden get his revenge against wide receiver Cecil Shorts?
Haden, like much of the Browns' defense, got off to a slow start this season. The All Pro cornerback was adjusting to the new rules, a new scheme and some new faces on defense as opposing quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees and Joe Flacco targeted him in crunch time. But Haden fought through a hip injury and played his best game of the season in last week's signature win against the Steelers. Once again, Haden will have his hands full on Sunday against the Jaguars and Cecil Shorts, who Mike Pettine referred to as an elite receiver. It was Shorts who got the best of Haden in last year's meeting, beating the Browns cornerback for a game-winning 20-yard touchdown reception with 40 seconds left.
Haden was asked about the play all week, even getting testy at times, but will have his chance to answer question on the field.
Shorts, coming off a game in which he posted a career-high 10 catches for 103 yards, is finally healthy after dealing with a nagging hamstring early.
The Jaguars focused a lot of attention on improving the wide receivers in the draft. Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee were taken in the second round and the organization might've found a gem with Allen Hurns, undrafted out of Miami. It's more than Shorts for the Browns to worry about, but whether Haden answers the call against Shorts, the most reliable pass catcher for the Jags, is the No. 1 question for the Browns.
Can the Browns contain Blake Bortles?
One of Blake Bortles' appealing traits is his ability to use strength and athleticism to extend plays. It's added a different dimension to the Jaguars' offense. He doesn't always break free from the pocket looking to run either. Oftentimes Bortles will evade the rush, keep his eyes down field and look for the big play in the passing game. The Browns' discipline will be tested.
With a shaky offensive line that has allowed 27 sacks, getting pressure on Bortles shouldn't be much of a problem for the Browns. Bringing him down is another story.
The last time the Browns faced a mobile, athletic quarterback it was Week 4 against Tennessee. In the first half, before leaving with a thumb injury, Locker was tormenting the Browns with his arm, completing 8-of-11 passes. He was also creating problems with his legs, accounting for nearly 40 yards, including a touchdown.
Locker's elusiveness changed how the Browns tried to attack the Titans. The QB spent the first half breaking tackles, extending plays and getting the defense out of position.
Sunday's game will be the latest test for the Browns' defense. Have they learned from the struggles against the Titans? Will they be more disciplined?
How will new center John Greco play in the place of Alex Mack?
Lost in the excitement of the enormous win over the Steelers was the loss of Mack, a mainstay on the offensive line and the league's best center.
Despite the solid play of Greco when he was shifted from guard to center, there is no replacing Mack and the Browns offensive line, which has been a strength this season, will need to make a big adjustment. The Jaguars don't do a lot of things well, but they can pressure the quarterback.
Jacksonville is second in the NFL in sacks with 19. The front four of Red Bryant, who is also dangerous when it comes to blocking kicks, Sen'Derrick Marks, Roy Miller and Chris Clemons is one of the team's strengths.
Part of the reason for Hoyer's success this season has been the offensive line, which has given him plenty of time to throw and let him get comfortable in the pocket. He has been sacked just six times in five games.
Can the Browns handle prosperity?
The Browns are in an unfamiliar position: They are expected to win Sunday's game against Jacksonville. Part of it is the Jaguars haven't won a game this year. The other part of it is the Browns play in four of the five games, including last week's demolition against the Steelers, a team tested by Jacksonville. Yes, the Browns have earned the role of favorite. But questions come with increased expectations and coach Mike Pettine and the players have had to answer them.
"This weekend will be as big a test of that maturity and that focus as we've had to date," he said.
He's right. The last time the Browns went into a game as the favorite, the better team, they laid an egg in the first half on the road against the Titans. It took a historic comeback and a lot of good fortune to overcome an embarrassing start.
It was easy to get up at home against Pittsburgh Steelers last week, especially given the way the first meeting between the two teams ended. Today is a different story against the 0-6 Jaguars. The Browns should beat them. All the football-related reasons point to the win. But it's another test for the new-look Browns, one they nearly failed two weeks ago.
Can the Browns defense get off the field on third down?
The Browns are allowing the opponent to convert on third down 43 percent of the time, which ranks in the bottom half of the league. The Steelers converted less than half of their attempts last week.
With the Browns' offense averaging more than 26 points, the Jags might try to play a little keep away and the best chance to do that is move the chains and keep drives alive. It's been a strength of Bortles since taking over.
With Henne, Jacksonville was 6-for-32 on third down. They are 23-for-46 on third down since making the switch to Bortles, who leads the NFL in completion percentage on third down (71.0).