Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) – Cleveland Browns (1-1): 13-18
Trevor Lawrence (14/30, 220 yards) will not be the Jaguars' hero this Sunday. While the quarterback had 2 series to go for the victory at the end of the game, he was sacked in his endzone on the 1st (with less than 2 minutes to go) and did not find a taker for his last pass on the second series. We can also talk about this ball lost in the Browns' 20-yard line… In short, Trevor Lawrence is not there yet.
The Jaguars therefore lost 13 to 18. A defeat not undeserved given the scenario of the match but the locals believed they could take advantage of the Browns' offensive anemia in the second half. Indeed, as is often the case, Cleveland can thank its defense for keeping the opponent within reach.
Deshaun Watson (22/34, 186 yards, 1TD) and his attack were once again too limited, despite an interesting start to the game.
Deshaun Watson finally?
After several poor performances (over several seasons), Deshaun Watson finally seems to be on his feet in this first half between the Browns and Jaguars. The quarterback notably had a high-flying first series with a 7/8 passing, several 3rd attempts converted, long passes and a touchdown on the ground (0-7).
Later, if the pace slows, Watson gets his team moving enough to add two field goals to the score before halftime. Number 4 finishes the first half with an 11/15 for 108 yards and 11 yards, 1 TD on the ground.
Unsurprisingly, Cleveland can also count on its defense to take the lead at halftime (3-13). The Ohio men are effective against the run and the pass, multiplying the pressures… The Browns only allow a small field goal to the Jaguars. A great performance for a series that had nevertheless reached Cleveland's 2 yards!
On the Jaguars side, apart from a 33-yard run, the half is very (too) complicated for Trevor Lawrence. The quarterback is imprecise and under pressure with a mediocre 5/11 passing and especially an average of 1.5 yards thrown per pass!
Once again, the Jaguars' play calls are being questioned. Like this series where Jacksonville once again stalls at the gates of the opposing endzone.
Trevor Lawrence too fair
If the Browns are the first to strike at the restart with a field goal (3-16), it is the Jaguars who wake up the public and the viewers.
Despite a lost ball by Lawrence and a missed field goal on the first series, the locals gradually came back into the game thanks to their defense. It multiplied the stops and forced the Browns to chain punts.
These ammunitions offered to the attack end up paying off. On a 66-yard reception, Brian Thomas (2 rec, 94 yards) shows the extent of his talent and leads his team into the opponent's 10-yard line. Behind, Travis Etienne (13 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD) has to try twice but scores the touchdown (10-16).
On the next series, Jacksonville almost makes a comeback. But once again the team fails in the red zone and only takes a field goal (13-16). This is perhaps where the game is lost for the Jaguars.
Then the team was unable to get back into the truth zone and fell 5 points behind the Browns (13-18, following the safety taken by Lawrence).
At 0-2, the Jaguars will have to recover quickly if they still hope for something this season. For Cleveland, they will have to hope that Watson can reproduce his first half…
