jaguars.com Senior Editor followed the action live as the Jaguars took on the Browns at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Here's what he wrote.
Pregame - 1:54PM
Hi, everybody, and welcome to the press box at "The Jack" for today's important AFC clash between the Jaguars and the visiting Cleveland Browns. I'll be back and forth between my laptop and the radio booth during the pregame. The weather is absolutely perfect. Football season begins today and the blog starts now.
Pregame - 2:29PM
I'm watching various games around the league and I may have seen the worst roughing-the-passer call I have ever seen. It was called on Trent Cole of the Eagles. I'm starting to truly believe that an order has gone out to intentionally soften the game. In my opinion, this is a developing story that's going to carry into the offseason league meetings.
Pregame - 2:48PM
Jaguars inactives are: William James, Omare Lowe, Chauncey Washington, Thomas Williams, Milford Brown, Charles Spencer, Jimmy Kennedy and Mike Walker.
Pregame - 2:49PM
Browns inactives are: Ken Dorsey (third QB), Mike Adams, Hamza Abdullah, Shantee Orr, Ryan Tucker, Scott Young, Kellen Winslow and Shaun Smith.
Pregame - 3:00PM
Rumors surrounding the Kellen Winslow situation continue to swell. I said it earlier in the week and I'll say it again: Winslow being inactive for today's game will make the Browns a better football team.
Pregame - 3:11PM
The temperature is 72 degrees and the humidity is 39 percent. The wind is from the northwest at 12 mph. There's no chance of rain. The weather, ladies and gentleman, is perfect.
Pregame - 3:19PM
There are a lot of Browns fans here. It's not Steelersesque, but it's going to be very, very noticeable.
Pregame - 3:24PM
I'm heading over to the radio booth for the pregame show. I'll be back for the coin toss.
Pregame - 4:03PM
Chris Naeole sprained his hand in pregame but may still play.
Pregame - 4:03PM
The Jaguars won the coin toss and have deferred their choice to the second half. The Browns have elected to receive the opening kickoff. Enjoy the game.
15:00 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
The Browns will start at their 26-yard line.
13:40 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
Three and out; the Browns botched the handoff on third and one.
12:53 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
The punt rolls dead at the Jaguars 11. Brian Witherspoon had trouble with the sun and had to let the ball hit the ground and roll.
12:53 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
The Jaguars open with two tight ends and one back, announcing an intent to run the ball. Fred Taylor gained one yard.
12:08 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
David Garrard throws to Dennis Northcutt for 13 yards on third and nine. He had a good pocket.
09:56 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
On third and two Maurice Jones-Drew gets the first down at the Jaguars 36.
09:13 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
Garrard to Northcutt for 11 and a first down. Garrard looks real sharp. They're in no-huddle now.
08:38 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
The Jaguars offensive line is coming off the ball hard and in unison.
07:08 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
Nobody open; Garrard throws it away on third down. The Jags may have gone no-huddle on that play immediately following Northcutt's catch to deny the Browns a chance to challenge the call.
07:08 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
Joshua Cribbs is back to field the punt. He can skoot.
06:52 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
Adam Podlesh puts his punt into the end zone. He was kicking downwind and it's a significant wind.
06:16 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
A pass and a run have the Browns at the Jaguars 48. Jamal Lewis roared up the middle for 19.
05:34 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
There's another gashing run up the middle for a first down. Mike Peterson was not in the game. He is now.
05:34 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
Derek Anderson hits Braylon Edwards for 21 to the Jaguars 17. He beat Rashean Mathis.
04:57 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
The Browns have completely changed their tempo on offense. They are out of the huddle and up to the line quickly now.
03:35 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
Anderson to tight end Steve Heiden for a first down at the Jaguars five.
02:54 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
What a goof by Anderson. He had a naked boot and should've run. He threw incomplete. He's just not a runner. Reggie Nelson is out of the game. They're working on his knee.
02:49 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 0, JAX: 0
We're looking at third and goal from the three. This is big. Expect a pass for Edwards in the corner.
02:08 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 6, JAX: 0
Touchdown! Anderson to Donte Stallworth; a little five-yard hook. It was way too easy. I don't know who was responsible for the coverage.
02:08 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
That was a frightening drive. Anderson looked superb. The Browns offensive line opened huge holes. The Jags have to regroup on defense while the offense has the ball.
02:08 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
The coverage belonged to Drayton Florence, He was playing too far off the ball and Stallworth just hooked up after he crossed the goal line. Anderson made a quick throw.
00:07 left in 1st Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
Garrard's throw is short for Marcedes Lewis. It may have been by choice, though, because there was a defensive back lurking. I'm not sure.
15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
Incomplete on second down. Brandon McDonald beat Matt Jones to the ball. That's the end of the first quarter. The Jags are facing a third and 10.
15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
What a fantastic run by Garrard. I don't know how he pulled away from the blitzing defensive back. When he turned the corner he had four Browns in his face and beat them all. It's on the 39 of Cleveland.
14:15 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
They're rushing him hard. He got flattened on a first-down incompletion.
13:25 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
Garrard to Matt Jones for a first down. It was a great throw and a nice catch at the Browns 21.
11:19 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 0
First down at the Browns five after a short pass on third and two to Northcutt. Garrard is on top of his game today.
10:28 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 6
Touchdown! Rainbow pass to Reggie Williams. The only problem was fighting the sun. We might be looking at a shootout.
10:28 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 7
The third-down run by Garrard could turn out to be the play of the game. He should've been sacked. It could've been a play that left the Browns to dominate the first half.
10:28 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 7
Josh Scobee made the touchdown-saving tackle on Cribbs. He had to ride him for awhile but he got him out of bounds at the Browns 38.
09:13 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 7
Decision time. It's fourth and one for the Browns at their 47. They're going for it. More on that later.
08:52 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 7
Big pass to the Jaguars two-yard line. It was play-action and everybody bit. The pass was to Heiden. It went for 51 yards.
08:05 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 7, JAX: 7
Anderson faked the handoff and rolled to his right. Heiden was all alone. He just didn't have the speed to finish.
07:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 13, JAX: 7
Touchdown! Lewis scores on the second plunge. The drive was six plays, 62 yards. Anderson is on fire.
07:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Here's what I wanted to tell you: On the fourth and one, a handful of Browns offensive players started leaving the field, expecting a punt, when they were sent back out to go for it. That's not what you wanna see but they got it done.
07:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
The Jaguars are in one today. I hope they got a full tank.
07:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
The Browns may have lost their fullback, Vickers, to an ankle injury. He's questionable. He's a productive player for them.
06:11 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Garrard is facing too many third downs, and that's because the running game isn't gaining enough yardage on first down. Frankly, I think the line surge is there.
06:11 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Garrard to Matt Jones for a big gain. Garrard got flattened after the play.
05:19 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Garrard scrambles for nine. It's his game. He's the guy today. The Jags are riding on his back right now.
04:34 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Big blitz; Garrard got it away. Here's another third down. The Jags are seven of eight on third down.
04:34 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Jones-Drew didn't get it. The Jags, I'm sure, will go for it.
04:26 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Greg Jones didn't get it. The Browns have the ball at their 37. The play didn't have much flow to it. Jones was tight to the line and didn't get much pop into his plunge.
03:56 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
Deep ball to Edwards at the Jaguars 24; out of bounds at the 20. He beat Mathis.
02:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 14, JAX: 7
The Jags hold and force a field goal attempt. It'll be about 31 yards. The Jags call time out with 2:14 to play in the half.
02:09 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Phil Dawson is good from 32. The Browns got a little conservative at the end of that drive.
02:09 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Brian Witherspoon takes the kickoff out to the Jaguars 32.
02:03 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
We're at the two-minute warning. The halftime analysis of this one is going to be very easy to do.
01:23 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Sacked on third down; time out, Browns, with 1:11 to play. That was a bad series.
01:11 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Fair catch at the Browns 34. This is a critical juncture in this game.
01:09 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Screen for 17 to the Jags 49.
00:29 left in 2nd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Anderson hit the official right in the belly on third down. The Browns punt and the Jags will just take a knee and head to the locker room.
Halftime
That's the end of the half. OK, here's the problem: 1.) The Jags aren't running the ball well enough. Garrard has 11 more yards rushing than Taylor and Jones-Drew combined. 2.) The Jags are getting no pressure on Anderson.
14:55 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
What a tremendous throw by Garrard and catch by Reggie Williams at the Cleveland 40. Garrard got absolutely crushed as he threw the ball.
12:48 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Garrard to Lewis for a first down at the Browns 19. I've never seen Garrard play better.
11:55 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
This is big; third and one at the 10.
11:11 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Drop by Porter; it's fourth and one. They're going for it.
11:06 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 7
Jones-Drew gets the first down around left end. It's first and goal at the Browns eight.
10:32 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 13
Touchdown! Slant to Matt Jones.
10:27 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
That was a gutsy go-for-it by Jack Del Rio. It would've been easy to justify a kick, which would've made it a one-possession game.
10:27 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
The Browns are a little soft in the secondary. The Jags can win this game because I don't think the Browns can stop the Jags offense from scoring. The question is, can the Jaguars defense stop the Browns offense?
09:52 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Lewis gashes the Jaguars for a first down.
08:33 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Reggie Nelson has returned to the game. It's third and six.
08:33 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
No rush; pass to Heiden for a first down at the Jaguars 45.
07:09 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
The Jags hold on third down. Nelson made a nice tackle. The Browns will punt.
05:37 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Terrible punt; it's down at the Jaguars 25. Here it is. This can be the turning point in this game. The Jags have never led.
05:37 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Garrard stands up against the rush as well as any QB in the league. I'll bet he's been knocked down seven or eight times today.
05:37 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
The Jags are moving. The Browns defense may be out of gas.
04:34 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Sacked on second and short. It'll be third and six from the Jaguars 40.
04:34 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Garrard to Lewis for a first down right at the marker. He threaded the needle in a crowd.
03:19 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Anybody who thinks this guy isn't a star quarterback needs to watch the tape of this game.
02:36 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
It's going to be third and one at the Browns 45.
02:36 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Short pass to Matt Jones. The Jags are 10 of 14 on third down.
01:28 left in 3rd Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Garrard scrambles for a first down at the 27.
15:00 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
That's the end of the third quarter. The Jags trail by three points but they took control of this game in the third quarter.
14:18 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Third and three at the 20. You don't wanna get silly here.
13:36 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
No gain; it's kick time. It's about a 38-yarder. It's blocked. The center of the line blocked it. Shaun Rogers recovered the ball at the Browns 40. That's a killer. It should've tied the game.
12:49 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Rogers blocked the kick. He got some penetration. We'll ask Del Rio about it after the game.
12:45 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Intercepted by Mathis .... but Quentin Groves, I believe, is offside for the second time today. Yep, he was. That's another killer.
11:56 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Anderson is sacked. The Browns have to punt. That was a spirited series by the Jaguars defense at a critical time in the game. Paul Spicer got the sack.
11:05 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Witherspoon returns the punt to the Jaguars 26.
10:58 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Garrard to Matt Jones. They're calling roughing the passer on Rogers, too. The Jags got lucky here. I thought they were going to call holding.
10:27 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
It's second and seven at the Browns 36.
10:27 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Now it's third and six. The running game is getting swallowed.
08:57 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 14
Slant for Jones; the defender knocked it away.
08:48 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
Scobee is good from 53. He had lots to spare, partly because he was downwind. Don't forget about the wind. It's a factor in the fourth quarter and it's in the Jaguars favor.
08:48 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
The defensive stand after the blocked FG attempt could turn out to be the biggest defensive series of the season to date.
08:48 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
With 8:41 to play, the game is tied and the season is on the line for each one of these teams. One team is going to forge ahead and one is going to be in deep trouble.
08:05 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
Lewis pounds out a first down. He's got a 4.8 average.
07:26 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
Lewis is gashing the Jaguars defense. The Browns are out to their 43 on three plays.
06:04 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
Big play; Anderson to Syndric Steptoe. He beat everybody. Caught the ball over the middle and was pushed out at the Jaguars one.
05:30 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
They threw it on first down. Why? They don't run it enough. But the Jags had 12 men on the field so it's still first down from the one. I bet Lewis gets the ball here. The pass was nearly intercepted.
05:27 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 17, JAX: 17
Run fails, pass fails, and now it's third down. Are they playing for a field goal?
04:35 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 20, JAX: 17
Fourth down; it's field goal time. Unbelievable. That's what kills coaches. Dawson is on for the "extra point." It's good and the Browns lead by three points. That's a major victory by the Jags defense after allowing that big pass play.
04:35 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 20, JAX: 17
I wish I had a dollar for every game I've covered that's ended 20-17. It's the classic NFL score. How about 24-20?
04:35 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 20, JAX: 17
The tension in this stadium right now is palpable. The season is on the line. This is it as the sun sets on an otherwise beautiful day.
04:35 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 20, JAX: 17
Oh, no. Witherspoon fumbled the kickoff and the Browns have it at about the Jaguars 25.
04:19 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 20, JAX: 17
He didn't get hit hard. He was just carrying it too loosely.
04:19 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 20, JAX: 17
It's third down. I haven't seen Braylon Edwards do anything in a long time.
04:15 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 20, JAX: 17
Field goal time; the Jags defense does another great job. This is not a chip shot and it's into the wind; about 42 yards. It's good.
04:06 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Witherspoon tiptoes carefully up to the Jaguars 23. Here we go. The Jags need a touchdown. Garrard was in this situation against the Steelers.
04:01 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Garrard scrambles; it's third and four.
03:13 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Incomplete deep for Matt Jones. He wasn't open but Garrard was under a heavy rush; all-out blitz. It looked like "cover zero" and the Jags couldn't beat it.
03:13 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Poor punt; Browns have it at their 33. The Jags have two times out remaining.
02:50 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
That's time out number two. I'm guessing they'll call time out after the next run and the clock will run down to the two-minute warning after the third-down play. The Jags could get the ball back with about 1:50 to play.
02:44 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Time out, Jags. That's all for them. The Browns can get it down to the two-minute warning. I'm sticking with 1:50.
02:44 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
It's fourth down. The clock is running down the two-minute warning. This is classic AFC North football.
01:51 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Poor punt puts the ball at the Jaguars 30. Jones-Drew was the returner. Here we go; there's 1:51 to play.
01:51 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Nice catch by Northcutt; he's played well. First down at the Jaguars 42.
01:51 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Sacked at the 36.
00:41 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
It's fourth and three. This is it.
00:36 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Time out, Browns.
00:36 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
First down on a short pass and then there's a penalty. It's against Tony Pashos, which pushes the ball back 15 yards. It's Hail Mary time now.
00:36 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
Great play by Matt Jones. He fought to get out of bounds at the Browns 26.
00:16 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
There are nine seconds to play; time for one or two more plays.
00:09 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
It was in Matt Jones' hands in the end zone. He had it, then bobbled it, then nearly caught it, then dropped it.
00:09 left in 4th Qtr -- CLE: 23, JAX: 17
That's all; game over. Incomplete for Matt Jones.
