JACKSONVILLE –The Jaguars will travel to Cleveland to face the Browns in their final AFC North matchup of the season at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m. Here are five key stats on tight end Marcedes Lewis and how he might impact this week 11 matchup:
- Lewis Starts 150: In 12 years with the Jaguars, Lewis has played 163 games with 149 starts. With a start on Sunday against the Browns, Lewis will reach 150, tying him for second-most starts in franchise history with former wide receiver and ring of honor inductee, Jimmy Smith. So far this season, Lewis has started every game.
- Brrrring it on: With temperatures expected to be in mid- to high-30s in Cleveland at game time, this will mark Lewis' coldest game since he and the Jaguars last faced off the Browns in 2013, when it was 40 degrees at kickoff. On December 1, 2013, Lewis posted three receptions for 26 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown in Jacksonville's 32-28 win over Cleveland. With heavy winds this weekend, Lewis may be a key component for short gains and helping the Jaguars move the ball.
- Luxury Marcedes: Lewis is one of four active tight ends who have played over 150 games with the team that drafted them, with the others being Jason Witten, Antonio Gates and Brent Celek. Among those, Lewis has the most receiving touchdowns this season (four) and is also ranked tied for sixth in the category among all NFL tight ends. The Browns have allowed opponents to score 19 receiving touchdowns – including seven different tight ends – in nine games.
- Top Tight End: Lewis this season has totaled 12 receptions for 183 yards and four touchdowns. Lewis posted three touchdowns against Baltimore in Week 3, which allowed him to surpass former wide receiver and current wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell into second place on the franchise's career receiving touchdowns list with 32. His four touchdowns receiving this season are the most he has had through nine games since 2010, when he posted seven touchdowns in the team's first nine games. With wide receiver Allen Hurns most likely out on Sunday, Lewis could be targeted more with only one other veteran receiver on the roster, Marqise Lee.
- Offensive Helper: With two offensive linemen on the injury report, Lewis also will play an important role in blocking against the 11th-best defense this Sunday. Last Sunday against the Chargers, right tackle Jermey Parnell was ruled out prior to kickoff and left guard Patrick Omameh was taken out of the game after 26 snaps. This led to Lewis blocking on the line for 22 snaps.
Every Friday during the 2017 NFL regular season, Jaguars public relations assistant Gaby Moran will bring five key stats about the Jaguars heading into the game on Sunday. You can follow her on Twitter @gabsmoran.