The Cleveland Browns walked away from their season opener with the type of result Todd Monken never wanted to see in his first game as head coach. Jacksonville gave the Browns one of the more lopsided defeats in franchise opener history, 34-10. By the time the final whistle blew. A defense that spent all offseason promising speed and violence had no answer for Trevor Lawrence, and an offense already dealing with a rebuilt line never found any real rhythm until it was far too late to matter.
final pic.twitter.com/2qwXbMqIdM
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 13, 2026
Jacksonville had built a 34- 3 lead by the end of the third quarter, and the outcome was so decided that the Jaguars pulled Lawrence for backup Nick Mullens with more than eight minutes still remaining in the fourth.
Watson’s final line, 16 of 22 for 205 yards with a touchdown and an interception, looks respectable on the surface, but the game told a different story. Cleveland managed just three points through three quarters, and much of Watson’s production came after Jacksonville had already comfortably pulled away. His lone highlight arrived late, a 46-yard touchdown throw to Denzel Boston that offered a glimpse of the explosive passing game Monken has preached since arriving in Cleveland, even if it came far too late to matter.
The defense fared no better. Mike Rutenberg’s group allowed 360 total yards and let Jacksonville convert five of ten third downs while controlling the ball for nearly 34 minutes. Cleveland finished with 11 penalties for 75 yards. Quinshon Judkins and KC Concepcion each had moments in the run game and passing attack, but neither could offset a start that put the offense in an impossible position from the opening quarter.
This was always going to be a difficult trip given the questions surrounding a rebuilt offensive line and a defense adjusting to life without Myles Garrett. But the margin, and the way both sides of the ball struggled simultaneously, raises real questions about how quickly this roster can find its footing under a new coaching staff.
NEXT: Browns Off To Rough Start Against Jaguars
