Jacksonville absolutely torched Cleveland today, steamrolling them 34-10 to kick off the 2026 season 1-0. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement, especially given it was head coach Todd Monken’s debut for the Browns and Deshaun Watson’s first game back since 2024. The Jags came out swinging and never looked back, putting the entire league on notice right from Week 1.
Lawrence Was Straight-Up Unstoppable
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was an absolute machine, dissecting the Browns’ defense from the jump. He connected on three touchdown passes in the first 30 minutes alone, piling up a massive 24-0 lead for Jacksonville going into halftime. And he wasn’t done! Lawrence added another TD pass to cap their first drive of the third quarter, extending that lead to a ridiculous 31-0. When he finally came out of the game with 8:12 left in the fourth quarter, relieved by Nick Mullens, Lawrence had put up some serious numbers: 18-of-23 for 245 yards and four touchdowns. Parker Washington, JaKobi Meyers, Brenton Strange, and rookie Josh Cameron were all on the receiving end of those scores. Before Lawrence even stepped off the field, the Jaguars were averaging a ridiculous 7.2 yards per play. Talk about an offense clicking early. They scored on each of their first four possessions in the first half. That’s just pure dominance.
Cleveland’s Offense: A Rough Start to the Season
On the flip side, things started ugly for Deshaun Watson and the Browns, and honestly, they just kept getting uglier. Watson threw an interception to Foyesade Oluokun on their very first drive, setting a grim tone for the afternoon. Then, to make matters worse, he threw another near-interception on Cleveland’s second possession that was thankfully dropped. You gotta wonder what was going through their minds out there. This was Watson’s big return to the field after missing all of 2025, and it was head coach Todd Monken’s first game at the helm. This kind of performance is a tough pill to swallow for a team with new leadership and a returning QB. They’ve got some serious work to do.
This dominant Week 1 performance for Jacksonville sets a massive tone for their season, showing they mean business right away. For Cleveland, it’s a brutal reality check, highlighting the challenges they’ll face early on to get their new system and returning quarterback gelling. They’re gonna have to figure out how to bounce back fast after an opener like this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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