JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Kainani Stevens and correspondent John Shipley offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns in a 2026 Week 1 game at EverBank Stadium Sunday

Oehser …

1. As advertised. The Jaguars on Sunday looked how a good team wants to look in the regular-season opener – and in so doing, they quickly eliminated any "Week 1 weirdness" storylines. They dominated Sunday on so many fronts that it's hard to touch on them all. "A true team win," Head Coach Liam Coen called it. "It's good to know you have guys who are bought in and who are all together. It was a 'spread-around' game. That's where you can point to the standard and having confidence in each other. I have confidence in them. They have confidence in what they're doing and hopefully it continues to carry over." Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sharp Sunday. The running offense was effective. The run defense and pass rush performed at a high level, and wide receivers Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. were effective – and very productive – early. Week 1 is historically the weirdest week of the NFL season. There's relatively little video from which to game plan – and that was particularly true for the Jaguars Sunday against a Browns team with a new coaching staff. The Jaguars countered potential weirdness on Sunday with physicality, clutch receptions early and timely turnovers – and just about everything else. The result was an uncommonly impressive, comfortable and promising Week 1 victory. On to Week 2.
2. (Near)Perfect start. This title could apply to a lot about the Jaguars Sunday, but for this post-game quick thought we will focus on Lawrence – who played nearly flawlessly in what appeared to be a nearly flawless offensive day. "Was definitely pleased with the way Trevor ran the offense today," Coen said. This is not to take away from a stellar start for Washington, whose reliability and ability to get open proved key on several early drives Sunday. Lawrence not only took advantage of Washington's quickness and athleticism for a 30-yard touchdown reception that gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead on their first drive, he followed that by completing passes to eight different receivers in the first half. Lawrence, who surged into Most Valuable Player consideration with a standout second half of the 2025 season, completed 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions Sunday. "He's a baller," Washington said of Lawrence. "It's his second year in this offense. We are all confident in him. He knows what he is capable of and he knows he is special. He goes out there and does it each week." This wasn't a perfect game because perfection isn't a thing in the NFL. But it was a perfect way to start a season, and perfect way for Lawrence to continue proving he belongs in the conversation with the NFL's best quarterbacks.

Sexton …

1. Impressive story. The story of the game turned out to be Lawrence, whose four-touchdown performance will rank among his best NFL performances. But the story all summer was the running game's revival, and it was pretty good. The numbers say 126 yards and 3.9 per carry, which is pretty average. But when you take out the seven carries for five yards by quarterbacks and receivers, you have a better indicator. Running backs Bhayshul Tuten, Ameer Abdullah and Chris Rodriguez Jr. combined for 25 carries and 121 yards – 4.85-yards-per-carry average which is really pretty good. It was a nice start. The Jaguars will need similar production in Denver next Sunday to keep that Broncos pass rush at bay.
2. Stepping up. The Jaguars didn't miss running back Travis Etienne Jr., now with the New Orleans Saints, Sunday. They also didn't miss linebacker Devin Lloyd, now with the Carolina Panthers. They didn't miss Lloyd because linebackers Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs combined for 13 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble Sunday. Miller in particular had a phenomenal performance. His best play won't show up on the stat sheet. It came when he blitzed Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and was upended. But Miller never quite lost his balance and affected Watson, whose pass linebacker Foyesade Oluokun intercepted to flip momentum to the Jaguars in the first quarter. Miller was outstanding in every phase and looks like an important part of Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's defense going forward.

Stevens …

1. No preseason, no problem. It would have been understandable if the Jaguars had looked a little rusty Sunday after not playing starters in the preseason. But that certainly wasn't the case. From start to finish, the Jags overpowered their opponent on both sides of the football. Lawrence looked as comfortable and confident as we have ever seen him, throwing for four touchdowns to four different receivers. The defense was disruptive and forced turnovers all day long. The Jaguars proved something Sunday.
2. Time to pay the man? Washington and the Jaguars' front office have been in ongoing negotiations about a contract extension throughout the offseason and training camp – with no animosity as both sides seem to genuinely want to get a deal done. Washington is comfortable playing through the season without a new deal, but the price is rising by the minute. The fourth-year veteran had five receptions for 83 yards and a spectacular diving 30-yard touchdown Sunday, showing again why he is so important to the offense. Washington is ready to perform this season and earn himself a big contract either here or somewhere else.

Shipley …

1. Looking good. The running game looked exactly like the Jaguars wanted on Sunday. While they may not have run over the Browns' front all game long with the passing game effective, the Jaguars looked efficient running. Tuten ran decisively and averaged over four yards per carry, while the Jaguars also got solid runs from both Rodriguez and Abdullah. If the running game continues to click while the passing game keeps ascending, the Jaguars could become a tough draw for any defense that faces them. Coen likes his offense balanced, and that is exactly what he got from the unit on Sunday thanks to the success of the running game.
2. Solid start. Anton Harrison made his first NFL career start at left tackle for the Jaguars Sunday after not starting a game there since his final season at the University of Oklahoma during the 2022 season. He drew a tough matchup with Browns defensive end Jared Verse Sunday, but Harrison did his part and then some to keep pace with the third-year pass rusher. Verse did not record a quarterback hit or pressure, and Harrison having a shutout performance at left tackle was a big part of that. There are more top-level pass-rushing fronts on the schedule, but Harrison looks up to the challenge.