In a rain-soaked battle in Jacksonville, the Cleveland Browns (1-1) stifled the Jaguars’ offense and outlasted a late surge to claim an 18-13 victory on Sunday. Deshaun Watson led the way for Cleveland, rushing for a touchdown, while kicker Dustin Hopkins chipped in with three crucial field goals. The Browns’ defense was relentless, sacking Trevor Lawrence four times and controlling much of the game until a late spark from the Jaguars (0-2) made things interesting.
The Browns’ defense set the tone early, keeping Jacksonville’s offense in check and stifling Lawrence, who struggled to find his rhythm for most of the afternoon. Cleveland’s pressure up front proved too much for Jacksonville’s offensive line, with Alex Wright, Myles Garrett, and others collapsing the pocket and keeping Lawrence uncomfortable. The Browns notched four sacks, including a critical safety late in the game that sealed the win.
Wright’s game-clinching sack came after punter Corey Bojorquez pinned the Jaguars deep inside their own 2-yard line, forcing Lawrence into a desperate situation with just minutes remaining.
Though not spectacular, Deshaun Watson managed the game effectively, completing 22 of 34 passes for 186 yards. His lone touchdown came on a designed quarterback run, helping Cleveland open a lead it would never relinquish. Watson’s primary target was Jerry Jeudy, who caught five passes for 73 yards. Jerome Ford contributed on the ground with 64 rushing yards.
The Browns were able to move the ball well enough in the soggy conditions, with Hopkins delivering three clutch field goals, including a long 48-yarder, helping Cleveland maintain control. However, penalties nearly proved costly, as three infractions on a key drive in the fourth quarter left the Browns facing a third-and-36.
Jacksonville’s offense struggled to get going for most of the game, with Lawrence completing just 14 of 30 passes for 220 yards. His biggest highlight came late in the third quarter when he connected with rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a 66-yard bomb, which set up a touchdown that brought the Jaguars within striking distance.
Following a late field goal, Jacksonville had one last opportunity to complete the comeback. With just seconds remaining, Lawrence launched a pass to the end zone, but Cleveland’s defense held firm, batting the ball away and preserving the win.
Adding to the frustration for Jacksonville was a visible argument between Trevor Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson. Lawrence, usually composed, appeared heated on the sideline as Cleveland’s defense repeatedly shut down the Jaguars’ offensive efforts. The disagreement drew attention on social media and only added to the Jaguars’ struggles on the day.
The Jaguars’ marketing team had a promotion in place for the game, changing the name of EverBank Stadium to “TrEverBank” in honor of their star quarterback. However, the Browns’ defense effectively “bankrupted” the gimmick, frustrating Lawrence and spoiling what was supposed to be a celebration of the quarterback’s partnership with a local financial services company.
For the Browns, the win marks a significant bounce-back after a tough Week 1 loss, as they improve to 1-1 on the season. Cleveland’s defense looks to be a force this season, and Watson’s efficient play should keep them competitive in the AFC North.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars drop to 0-2, extending their struggles from the tail end of last season. With Lawrence’s frustrations boiling over and a tough start to the season, Jacksonville will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind in the AFC South.
