JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the home opener nears, Jacksonville can inhale and reflect on what Toronto, Oakland and St. Louis lack: an NFL franchise. Jacksonville has the ability to kick off the season, renovations in the queue and a reliable, unique fanbase. Rejoice that the Bold City of the South is part of 30-city club.
Enter the "TrEverBank." His hair is safe.
60, 105 fans were in TrEverBank Stadium for the home opener.
Despite a familiar brutal second-half collapse against the Dolphins, it's one game of 17; you get a few of those, preferably no more than eight. The offense looked secure and fast-paced in the first half. RB Travis Etienne's fumble in the third quarter provided the springboard for the Dolphins to overturn a 17-7 deficit. The defense played well, the offense played well in the first half apart from the first drive. It is not the end of the world.
Given the Jaguars have to play the Buffalo Bills (1-0) next Monday night and the Houston Texans (1-0) on the road Sept. 29, two of the top-five teams in the AFC, the Browns game is pretty important. Last year's late-season matchup is irrelevant, Joe Flacco is carrying clipboards for the Colts now and Trevor Lawrence is healthy.
Unfortunately, the Jaguars have lost cornerback Tyson Campbell for several games, tight end Evan Engram was injured in warmups, and it looks like safety Darnell Savage will miss game time also. Other inactives include:
- OL Javon Foster
- OL Cole Van Lanen
- DT Tyler Lacy
- DT Maason Smith
- DT Jordan Jefferson
Expect the Jaguars to bounce back in their Week 2 matchup against the Browns. Unlike the Jaguars' close loss from a position of strength, the Dallas Cowboys flattened the Browns last week, 33-17. More of a vibes blowout (ugh), a result that firmly displayed how far Deshaun Watson is off the pace after suspensions and injuries.
In their first drive, the Jaguars again, could not convert on 3rd and long.
In the first quarter, the Browns struck first as quarterback, Deshaun Watson trucked in the touchdown from the one-yard line.
Then before the Jaguars could respond, Cleveland strengthened their lead with a 53-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins. The Browns lead, 10-0.
The Jaguars would settle for the 22-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Before the half ends, Browns' Dustin Hopkins nails a 38-yard field goal. The Browns are up, 13-3.
Andre Cisco also left the field with a groin injury. His return was deemed questionable.
The Browns are in the lead at the half, 13-3. The storyline for the first half of the game is the Jaguars getting in their own way. The Browns have been giving them big breaks by not completing potential turnovers by the Jaguars.
The Jaguars came back from the locker room with just about the same amount of fire power as the first half.
Browns' wider receiver, David Bell went down with a hip injury and was stretched off the field. He was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Jacksonville held the Browns to a field goal. Dustin Hopkins at it again. This time, with a 44-yard field-goal. The score is 16-3 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Jaguars would get held to a field goal but would miss. The score is still, 16-3.
Brian Thomas Jr. would spark some light in the Jaguars offense with a 66-yard completion from Trevor Lawrence.
Then with less than two minutes left in the third, Travis Etienne Jr. would cap off the drive with a four-yard run to the house. The Jaguars are in this game, 16-10.
With less than eight minutes left in the game, Cam Little caps off with a 25-yard field goal. The score is 16-13.
Cam Little's missed field goal from the first half would have tied the game.
Safety, Andre Cisco returned to the game.
The Browns are inundated with penalty calls in the final minutes of the game, giving the Jags just under two minutes to make some magic.
However, the Browns get a safety by tackling Lawrence in the endzone with 1:44 minutes on the clock. This also means the Browns got the ball back with a lead of 18-13, but return it to the Jags within seconds.
The Jaguars scramble for a touchdown with seconds on the clock, when rain starts pouring over 'TrEverBank Stadium.'
Despite getting the ball down to the 30-yard line, the Jaguars can't make it happen, and lose to the Browns 18-13.
This leaves the Jaguars 0-2.
Earlier this week, a lawsuit was filed against Watson, alleging sexual assault and battery stemming from an alleged incident in October 2020. More than 20 women have accused Watson of similar behavior, largely involving massage therapists, filed in 2021, reports KHOU. He was suspended for 11 games in 2022.
For personnel, Browns running back Nick Chubb and tight end David Njoku are out and the Browns' offensive line is banged up. But it's not like the Browns defense doesn't have stars in Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward. Receiver Amari Cooper is still a genuine threat and Jerry Jeudy is serviceable.
The weather will be cloudy with a slight chance of rain and heat isn't expected to be a major factor.