Deshaun Watson’s return and Todd Monken’s debut couldn’t have gone worse in 34
Cleveland.com • • general
Key Points:
- The Cleveland Browns suffered a 34-10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season opener, marking a disappointing debut for head coach Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg.
- Deshaun Watson, returning after 22 months and two Achilles surgeries, struggled early with an interception on the opening drive and multiple mistakes, finishing with one touchdown and one interception.
- Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence delivered a dominant performance, throwing four touchdowns and achieving a 150.6 passer rating before being replaced late in the game.
- The Browns' defense failed to pressure Lawrence effectively, allowing multiple touchdowns and no takeaways, while the offense was hindered by penalties and injuries, including the loss of running back Dylan Sampson.
- With the Browns starting 0-1, they face a tough road game next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield, raising questions about Watson’s readiness and the team’s direction.
