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Browns Embarrassed In Opening Loss To Jaguars
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Hines-Allen #41 of the Jacksonville Jaguars sacks Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Everbank Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns opened the 2026 season with a performance to forget Sunday, falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-10 at EverBank Stadium. Jacksonville dominated from the start, racing to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and taking a 24-0 advantage into halftime. The Jaguars extended the margin to 31-0 early in the third quarter before Cleveland finally found the end zone late in the fourth.

Jacksonville controlled the game statistically as well, outgaining the Browns 360-272 and holding a 23-14 advantage in first downs. The Jaguars ran for 126 yards compared to Cleveland’s 87 and controlled the clock for nearly 34 minutes. The Browns converted just 1-of-8 third downs, committed 11 penalties for 75 yards and turned the ball over twice, while Jacksonville committed only 4 penalties and did not turn the ball over.

Deshaun Watson, making his first regular-season appearance since 2024, finished 16-of-22 passing for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked 5 times and also rushed 6 times for 38 yards. Watson’s best play came late in the game when he connected with rookie Denzel Boston on a 46-yard touchdown pass, but by then the Browns were already trailing 34-3.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 13: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter of the game at EverBank Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence, meanwhile, was nearly flawless. Lawrence completed 18-of-23 passes for 245 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, producing a career-best 150.6 passer rating. He spread the ball around, throwing touchdown passes to Parker Washington, Josh Cameron, Brenton Strange and Jakobi Meyers as Jacksonville’s offense consistently moved the football against Cleveland’s defense.

For the Browns, the loss was much more than a bad start—it was a complete team failure. Cleveland struggled to protect Watson, couldn’t sustain drives, failed to capitalize in the red zone and couldn’t slow down Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Todd Monken of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of the game at EverBank Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

The Browns and 1st year head coach Todd Monken will have plenty of questions to answer this week, particularly surrounding the quarterback position, but Watson wasn’t the only problem. Cleveland was simply outplayed in virtually every phase of the game.

Next up for the Browns, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers Sunday in Tampa, kickoff on 1480 WHBC is 1pm.