The Jaguars scored on each of their first four possessions and lead the Browns 24-0 at halftime in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence completed 13 of 18 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, with Parker Washington, Brenton Strange, and rookie Josh Cameron on the receiving end of his scoring strikes.
Jacksonville outgained Cleveland 234-95 in the opening two quarters. The Jags piled up 16 first downs to the Browns' five and converted 4 of 6 third-down attempts while Cleveland went 0 for 4. The game marks Todd Monken's debut as head coach of the Jaguars and Deshaun Watson's return to the starting lineup for the Browns.
Watson's performance was a continuation of his struggles from 2024, when he played his last game before this one. His first possession ended with an interception to linebacker Foyesade Oluokun. On Cleveland's second drive, he nearly threw another pick, but the pass fell incomplete. On the third possession, he was strip-sacked but managed to recover the fumble.
The only positive sign for Watson came on a two-minute drive late in the second quarter, when he connected with Jerry Jeudy for a 20-yard gain. Pre-snap and holding penalties then derailed the drive, and the Browns came away with no points. Watson finished the half 8 of 13 for 75 yards with one interception. Quinshon Judkins managed just 14 yards on five carries.
The Browns' offense was effectively shut down across the board. Their five first downs and 95 total yards in a half reflect a unit that could not sustain drives or protect the football. Cleveland's defense had no answers for Lawrence, who spread the ball efficiently and found the end zone three times before the break.
For the Jaguars, the fast start is a significant statement under their new head coach. Monken, known for his offensive background, watched his team execute cleanly from the opening whistle. The Jags' ability to convert on third down and finish drives with touchdowns rather than field goals gave them a commanding cushion heading into the locker room.
The second half will begin with the Jaguars receiving the kickoff. Cleveland faces a steep climb, needing not just to stop Jacksonville's offense but also to get Watson and the passing game moving against a defense that has already forced one turnover and pressured the quarterback into mistakes. The Browns will need to find answers quickly if they hope to make the game competitive in the final two quarters.
According to Yahoo Sports.