JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key storylines from the Jaguars’ 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns in a 2026 Week 1 game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Sunday…

1.Getting physical. The Jaguars' Week 1 victory was one-sided. What Head Coach Liam Coen emphasized afterward was less obvious than the score – but perhaps more important. "I thought we were definitely the more physical unit," Coen said. The Jaguars throughout the 2025 season – Coen's first as head coach – typically won when they were the more physical team, a trend that continued Sunday as they outrushed the Browns 126-87 and registered five sacks on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson while allowing one sack on quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Coen said he was pleased on Sunday that the Jaguars made the game "our brand of football and not playing somebody else's game, playing our game. As we grow together and as we continue to trust each other more and more as coaches and players, you can try to play your brand and your style of football as much as possible." Added Coen, "We play at our best as a team here in Jacksonville when we're playing grimy, physical nasty and we're flying around with relentless pursuit. That's in all three phases."

2.Run to win. Second-year running Bhayshul Tuten made his first NFL start Sunday, rushing for 66 yards on 15 carries and impressing for a Jaguars offense that outrushed the Browns 126-87. "It was a great start," Tuten said. "We came out moving the ball like we wanted to. Looked explosive overall, in the pass game, run game, blocking-wise, and I think that's what we wanted to showcase." Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are expected to be key to the running game, an area of focus throughout the offseason. Coen noted that he was "very pleased with" Tuten's yards after contact Sunday. "I thought he trusted the reads," Coen said. "He was getting outside on some of the outside zones. He ran nasty. He ran violent. He took some shots and kept his contact balance going and was falling forward a lot. Bhayshul really showed up today."

3.Ideal start. The Jaguars started fast Sunday – and that was particularly true of Lawrence, who completed 13 of 18 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as the Jaguars took a 24-0 halftime lead. "We had a great week of practice," Lawrence said. "It felt like there was a really good understanding of the plan from everyone on offense by the end of the week." Lawrence added being in the second season working with Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski helped in preparation. "I felt really good about it," Lawrence said. "That [starting fast] is the goal moving forward, obviously." Coen said he "was pleased with the way in general starting fast. It's something we've been really emphasizing, talking about, working on in different ways." Coen added that coaches communicated the offense's "opening script" earlier in the week. "He (Lawrence) had a great grasp of the plan on Friday when we did our call-sheet meeting," Coen said. "We were a little bit more intentional. The time helped. That's something we need to make sure carries over. He just had a really good grasp of how to attack this defensive structure early and the things we wanted to get to early."

4.P-Dub … again. Wide receiver Parker Washington, who emerged as perhaps the Jaguars' go-to receiver late last season, caught a game-high five passes for a game-high 83 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. "I was just having fun," Washington said. "I just wanted to bring energy and go out there and celebrate with the guys and have a great win today." He was key early, with all five receptions coming in the first half as the Jaguars took a 24-0 second-quarter lead – and his 30-yard, diving touchdown reception opened the scoring. Washington and the team have been negotiating toward a contract extension in the offseason and preseason. "You would not even know that's going on just the way he carries himself," Lawrence said. "He's been the same guy. Just comes to work every day, does everything the right way. You wouldn't even know that's going on in the background. So really just impressed with how he has handled that, but not surprised. He's a worker and he's a stud. Had a great day today."

5.Solid start. A Jaguars offensive line that was a preseason storyline had a strong start to the season Sunday, with Cole Van Lanen starting at right tackle after missing the preseason and much of training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list following offseason knee surgery. Anton Harrison made his first career start at left tackle after starting on the right side his first three seasons. Rookie Emmanuel Pregnon made his first career start at left guard Sunday, with Ezra Cleveland starting at right guard after starting on the left side last season. "They did a great job," Lawrence said. "The front is good, Cleveland's front. Those guys really protected well. We ran the ball pretty well for the most part, too. I thought they did an awesome job."