It’s officially going to be another long season in Cleveland, no question about it, after the Browns got absolutely throttled 34-10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. This wasn’t just a loss, it was a full-blown disaster that put quarterback Deshaun Watson right back under the microscope from the opening drive.
Watson’s Return Is Already a Nightmare
Watson, who is playing the final year of a massive five-year, $230 million contract, threw an interception on the very first drive of the game. That set the tone for a brutal first half where Jacksonville, led by Trevor Lawrence’s 245 yards and four touchdowns, jumped out to a stunning 24-0 lead. Watson, fresh off tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 7 of the 2024 season, finished the game 16 of 22 for 205 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was also sacked five times. First-year coach Todd Monken has a huge quarterback problem on his hands, and it’s barely even two weeks into the season. It’s hard not to wonder who didn’t see this coming, honestly?
This first half wasn’t just bad, it was historically bad. The Jaguars outgained Cleveland 23-495 and held that 24-0 lead at halftime. To put that into perspective, Cleveland’s return to the NFL in Week 1 on Sept. 12, 1999, saw Pittsburgh hold a 20-0 halftime lead in a 43-0 blowout. Twenty-seven years later, fans have to be asking, “What really changed?” This is the same franchise that traded Myles Garrett this offseason, just a year after he set a single-season record with 23 sacks. Watson even started the preseason by criticizing the fan base, which is not exactly a great way to kick things off. He missed Jerry Jeudy on a crossing route because he didn’t read linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, who made a leaping interception. The next three drives for Cleveland? A fumble and two three-and-outs.
No Answers, Just More Questions
The second half didn’t offer much relief for the Browns faithful. Raheim Sanders busted out a 74-yard kickoff return in the third quarter, putting Cleveland on the 2-yard line, but a false start penalty stalled the drive, and they had to settle for a field goal. Later, Watson hit rookie KC Concepcion on a 25-yard crossing route, but that drive also stalled in the red zone when Watson was sacked on third and fourth down.
This team feels like an endless series of what-could-have-beens, with moments of success like Baker Mayfield leading them to the AFC divisional playoffs in 2020. But the reality on the field right now is barely watchable. What’s next for the Browns is more pain, more questions, and another long, grinding season where fans are left to find hope in the smallest of victories.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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