Deshaun Watson is back under center for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, making his first start since way back in October of 2024, but that’s not even the wildest part of their Week 1 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cleveland is trotting out an offensive line with five new starters who weren’t even on the roster last season, a move only three other teams have made since 1970. Talk about a complete overhaul for a quarterback who hasn’t seen game action in nearly two years!
Cleveland’s High-Stakes Overhaul Could Be a Disaster
The vibes around Cleveland are not exactly sky-high. Head coach Todd Monken is making his NFL sideline debut, and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg is calling the shots on defense for the first time. They’ve got two shiny new rookie wideouts in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, plus Jared Verse stepping into Myles Garrett’s gigantic shoes at defensive end. Seriously, the expectations are “not high” for this Browns squad, especially since they’re kicking off the season with back-to-back road games. You’ve also gotta wonder about Watson’s readiness; his QBR since joining the Browns sits at a dismal 33.1, which ESPN says would put him at the bottom of the league if he even qualified. Oh, and adding insult to injury, offensive guard Teven Jenkins is out with a back injury, and center Parker Brailsford is questionable with a thumb issue. And get this: they’re wearing white jerseys and white pants in Jacksonville’s 89-degree heat, which is a wild choice when most teams want their opponent in dark colors on a hot day.
Watson’s Weird Jacksonville Streak Meets League’s Best Run D
Here’s where it gets really interesting, though. Even with all that chaos, Cleveland somehow owns the Jaguars lately, winning three straight games against them. They’ve even nabbed wins in their last two trips to Jacksonville. Watson himself has been a Jag killer, winning all seven of his career starts against them! The Browns last beat Jacksonville 18-13 in Week 2 of the 2024 season. But hold up, Jacksonville’s defense is no joke. They boasted the league’s best run defense in 2025, and their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, is a threat himself, racking up nine rushing touchdowns in 2025, second-most among QBs. That said, Lawrence hasn’t exactly lit up September, winning only 33 percent of his career starts in the opening month. The Jags also shuffled their O-line, and running back Lequint Allen Jr. is questionable with a hip injury. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 12-8, but Cleveland has won five of the last seven games played in Jacksonville. FanDuel has the Browns as +8.5 underdogs, with an Over/Under of 40.5 points.
So when Sunday kicks off at 1 p.m. from EverBank Stadium, it’s not just another Week 1 game. It’s a real test to see if Cleveland’s drastic changes can somehow overcome those low expectations and that rough QBR. Can Watson keep his perfect record against Jacksonville going, or will Lawrence and that stout Jags run D spoil the Browns’ chaotic opener? You gotta watch to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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