Week 1: Watson's First Start in Two Years Comes at Jacksonville
The Cleveland Browns open at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, September 13, with Deshaun Watson making his first start since October 2024 after Todd Monken named him the starter over Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland rebuilt its entire offensive line, starting first-round rookie Spencer Fano at left tackle, and traded Myles Garrett to the Rams for a package that included Jared Verse. Jacksonville went 13-4 and won the AFC South under Liam Coen, and Trevor Lawrence enters healthy with Brian Thomas Jr. expected to play through a shoulder issue.
Watson returns after two Achilles surgeries
Monken said Watson gave the Browns the best chance to score and that the decision is not week to week. His last regular-season start was 23 months ago.
Cleveland's line is the league's biggest question mark
Five new starters, including a rookie left tackle, face a Jacksonville front led by Travon Walker, who signed a $110 million extension in April.
Jacksonville's receivers are banged up but expected to play
Thomas and Jakobi Meyers both carried injury tags this week, with Coen calling Thomas a full go.
AI Prediction
Browns 
Jaguars A rebuilt line and a rusty quarterback against a 13-win team
Cleveland's offense has more moving parts than any in the league, and Jacksonville ended last season on an eight-game winning streak.
Lawrence at home with his top targets available
Jacksonville's passing game is intact, while Cleveland's pass rush lost Garrett and Alex Wright.
Florida heat in the early window
An outdoor 1 p.m. kickoff in September is a hard environment for a team playing five new linemen together for the first time.
The widest lean of the early games. Watson's health is the swing factor, but the line in front of him is the reason for the margin.
Jaguars Leaders
Browns Leaders
Venue
Closing Line
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Jaguars Injuries