By Zachary McMahon-
The Jacksonville Jaguars played their 2024 home opener at a rain-soaked EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Both teams are coming off opening week losses while the Jags lost to the Miami Dolphins while the Browns were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys at home.
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram strained a hamstring during warmups, and was ruled out an hour before the game.
The Browns struck first with a one-yard touchdown run by Deshaun Watson, and then the defense held the Jags to three points until halfway through the third quarter, when Travis Etienne Jr. had a four-yard run for a touchdown.
The Browns defense sacked Trevor Lawrence four times, including one for a safety where he was sacked by Alex Wright under two minutes left in the game after Browns punter Corey Bojorquez punted it inside the two yard line.
The Jags had one final possession to attempt a comeback, Lawrence had a 28-yard pass to Jags first round pick Brian Thomas Jr. which got them into opponent territory. After Lawrence spiked the ball with eight seconds left, Lawrence threw an incomplete pass and the game ended as the Browns won 18-13.
Lawrence completed 14 of 30 passes with 220 yards and no touchdowns and no interceptions, Watson 22 out of 34 passes with 186 yards while Jerry Jeudy lead receivers with 73 yards.
Thomas Jr. led Jags receivers with 94 yards, and Etienne rushed for 52 yards,, while passing former QB Mark Brunell (2,219) for fifth-most rushing yards in Jaguars history, and he did it in 36 career games.
Jags running back Tank Bigsby was injured on a kickoff where he fumbled and the Browns recovered, but the play was negated by a penalty on the kicking team, he did not play the rest of the game with a shoulder injury. Right Tackle Anton Harrison injured his leg and left the game.
The Jags will be playing Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on Monday night football at 7:30 pm on ESPN, while the Browns will host the Giants at 1 pm on FOX.
Sports Insider Daily 