The Browns fell to the Jaguars 34-10 in the first game of the regular season in Jacksonville.
Cleveland struggled to sustain long drives on offense and was unable to limit Jacksonville's passing offense over the course of the game. Less than three minutes into the third quarter, Cleveland was down 31-0 after the Jaguars scored four touchdowns on their first six drives.
The Browns had 11 penalties for 75 yards and turned the ball over two times. QB Deshaun Watson started his first regular season game since 2024, finishing the day 16-for-22 with 205 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Browns scored 10 points in the second half, including a 26-yard field goal by K Andre Szmyt in the third quarter and a late fourth quarter touchdown reception from rookie WR Denzel Boston.
Key Moments
Offense struggles to sustain drives in the first half
The Browns' offense was unable to string together long drives against the Jaguars in the first half. They tallied 95 net yards and five first downs with a fumble and interception.
On the Browns' fifth play from scrimmage, Watson evaded a blitz but threw an interception, as a pass intended for WR Jerry Jeudy was picked off by LB Foyesade Oluokun. The turnover ended a promising drive from the offense that saw them reach field goal range after RB Dylan Sampson gave Cleveland good starting field at the 40-yard line following a 37-yard kickoff return.
After the opening drive, the Browns punted the ball three times, where they tallied one first down on those possessions. Cleveland recorded its second turnover of the first half when WR KC Concepcion Jr. fumbled on the Browns' 45-yard line on second-and-9.
The Browns committed three straight penalties after moving the ball to Jacksonville's 39-yard line on their final drive of the first half, preventing a late scoring opportunity.
Defense unable to limit Jaguars' pass game
In the first half, seven different Jaguars recorded receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
On the first two drives of the game, QB Trevor Lawrence went 8-for-10 with 110 yards and two touchdowns, in large part due to deep completions. Jacksonville had two passes for 20 yards or more and five for 10 yards or more in that span.
Lawrence found WR Parker Washington for a 30-yard touchdown on third-and-7 on the opening drive. On the Jaguars' second possession, Lawrence connected with Washington for 22 yards and WR Brian Thomas Jr. for 18 yards to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass to WR Josh Cameron.
The Jaguars added their third touchdown pass through the air courtesy of a 14-yard reception by TE Brenton Strange over the middle of the field.
On Jacksonville's first drive of the second half, Lawrence rolled to his left and found WR Jakobi Meyers in the back of the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. To set up the scoring play, Lawrence hit RB Bhayshul Tuten on a screen pass for 22 yards two plays earlier.
Raheim Sanders' kickoff return sets up Browns' scoring drive
RB Raheim Sanders gave the Browns a spark in the second half, making multiple defenders miss while taking an early third quarter kickoff 74 yards into Jaguars territory. The return gave Cleveland's offense excellent starting field position, where K Andre Szmyt capped the drive off with a 26-yard field goal.
Denzel Boston records first touchdown of NFL career
The Browns led a 6-play, 89 yard drive late in the fourth quarter, with Boston capping it off with a 46-yard touchdown reception.
Boston got behind the Jaguars' secondary as Watson aired the ball out in the back of the end zone for the 46-yard connection. The touchdown marked Boston's first of his career in his first regular season game.
Game Highlights
QB Deshaun Watson completes first pass of the season to TE Blake Whiteheart for 14 yards.
WR KC Concepcion Jr. makes his first reception of the season for nine yards.
DT Mason Graham sacks QB Trevor Lawrence for the Browns' first sack of the season.
QB Deshaun Watson connects with WR Jerry Jeudy for a 20-yard completion.
K Andre Szmyt converts 26-yard field to put the Browns on the board.
RB Raheim Sanders takes kickoff return 74 yards to set up a scoring drive.
WR Denzel Boston records first catch for 13 yards.
TE Harold Fannin Jr. converts first down with 12-yard reception.
WR KC Concepcion Jr. tallies his longest catch of the game with 25-yard reception.
Scoring Plays
CLE 0, JAX 7 | WR Parker Washington 30-yard touchdown reception | 8:11 Q1
CLE 0, JAX 14 | WR Josh Cameron 4-yard touchdown reception | 1:42 Q1
CLE 0, JAX 17 | K Cam Little converts 47-yard field goal | 9:09 Q2
CLE 0, JAX 24 | TE Brenton Strange 14-yard touchdown reception | 6:18 Q2
CLE 0, JAX 31 | WR Jakobi Meyers 32-yard touchdown reception | 12:08 Q3
CLE 3, JAX 31 | K Andre Szmyt makes 26-yard field goal | 8:31 Q3
CLE 3, JAX 34 | K Cam Little converts 40-yard field goal | 1:48 Q3
CLE 10, JAX 34 | WR Denzel Boston 46-yard touchdown reception | 1:52 Q4
What's Next
The Browns will face the Buccaneers on the road at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
