JACKSONVILLE — The Jaguars opened their 2026 regular season with a 34-10 demolition of the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium, a performance that was dominant on both sides of the ball and left little doubt about Jacksonville’s intentions this year.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was near perfect, connecting with wide receiver Parker Washington on a 30-yard touchdown pass for the Jaguars’ first score of the season and a 7-0 lead. Washington was a force throughout, providing critical first downs and energy in big situations early. The performance came after news this weekend that the Jaguars and Washington have not yet reached an agreement on a contract extension, a fact Washington appeared to acknowledge with a touchdown celebration in which he rubbed together the fingertips of his first three fingers in a money gesture.
On defense, fourth-year linebacker Ventrell Miller delivered a standout performance: 10 tackles, seven solo, one sack, two tackles for a loss, one quarterback hit and one forced fumble. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said he believes Miller will lead the NFL in “punchout” forced fumbles this season. Miller’s dominance eased any concerns about the departure of former linebacker Devin Lloyd, who signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Carolina Panthers this past offseason.
The Jaguars’ defense stifled the Browns’ run game and pressured Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson into turnovers that Jacksonville’s offense converted into scoring drives. Head Coach Liam Coen showed a pragmatic streak in the first half, opting to kick a field goal on fourth-and-1 from the Browns 29 rather than gamble for the first down.
The running game was punishing and effective, complementing Lawrence’s passing attack in what amounted to as complete a performance as the Jaguars could have produced. Jacksonville handled a young Cleveland team playing its first game under a new head coach, doing exactly what a contending team is expected to do against an opponent still finding its footing.
The Jaguars head into Week 2 riding the momentum of a 24-point victory, with Washington’s contract situation and Miller’s breakout performance likely to dominate the conversation as the team prepares for its next opponent.