CLEVELAND — After a rough start to the season, the Cleveland Browns have a chance to bounce back on the road.
The Browns are traveling to EverBank Stadium to play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 15, in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Season.
Kickoff from Huntington Bank Field is set for 1 p.m.
What follows is everything you need to know about the Browns’ Week 1 matchup:
Game info, how to watch on TV, betting line
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m.
- Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
- TV channel: CBS (Channel 19)
- Radio: ESPN 850, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX
- Betting line: -3.5 Jaguars
- Over-under point total: 41.5
- Tickets: Ticketmaster
Preview
For the second week in a row, all eyes will be on quarterback Deshaun Watson. A putrid display in last week's season opener did little to dampen fans' concerns over the Browns' $230 million commitment to the signal caller, who has failed to impress while being limited to just 13 starts through suspension and injury since being acquired in a trade with Houston. Even more scrutiny will fall on Watson in the face of a new sexual assault allegation against the Browns quarterback. The team does not plan to bench Watson for Sunday's game.
In last Sunday's 33-17 loss to the Cowboys, Watson looked too much like he had in those previous outings. He missed open throws and overlooked uncovered receivers. He tended to hold the ball too long on some plays and gave up critical downs by escaping a clean pocket too early on others.
But one game is limited sample size, and Watson has tended to start slow and improve somewhat since arriving in Cleveland. An 0-1 Jaguars team could be the opportunity Watson needs to find his rhythm and get the Browns offense back on track. However, injuries will again get in the way. Left tackle Jedrick Wills is out for the second consecutive game, as is right tackle Jack Conklin. Watson will be missing a downfield weapon in tight end David Njoku, who is week to week with an ankle injury.
Cleveland's injury-hampered offensive line, which struggled last week, will have another tough assignment this Sunday against Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker. Walker carries the NFL's second-longest active sack streak with at least one in each of the last five consecutive games.
On the defensive side, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will play after sitting out of a practice earlier in the week to rest a sore foot. Garrett was a bright spot in Cleveland's Week 1 home drubbing, tallying a sack and a forced fumble against the Cowboys. Garrett will lead a depleted defense; starting safety Juan Thornhill and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II are among a group of five players that will have to miss a minimum of four games after being placed on injured reserve this week.
While the Jaguars are favored, the Browns should feel like they have a serious opportunity win and regain control of the narrative after a disastrous Week 1. Both teams are looking to avoid falling into the pit of an 0-2 record, with Jacksonville suffering a brutal Week 1 result of their own. They led Miami 17-7 late in the third quarter before running back Travis Etienne coughed up the ball near the end zone, allowing the Dolphins to come back and win a week before getting blown out by Buffalo.
Jacksonville will be without Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, who suffered a hamstring injury during pregame warmups.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More Browns coverage
- Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett practices after missing a day with foot injury, expected to face Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku could miss weeks with ankle injury suffered in season-opening loss to Dallas Cowboys
- A dominating defense, Deshaun Watson's return and offensive line concerns: Storylines to follow during the 2024 Cleveland Browns' season
- Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson not looking back, still believes he's 'no doubt' one of NFL's elite passers