Looking to bounce back, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns week 2 matchup sets the stage for the Jaguars to rebound from a rough week 1.
Jaguars and Browns Week 2: Three Things to Watch
Jaguars Defensive Line vs Browns Offensive Line
A theme for the 2024Â Jaguars season will be whether the defensive line can continue to get pressure on the quarterback. The defensive line had an okay day in the Jaguars week one matchup. Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and Arik Armstead all got pressure in some form or another. But, with the Browns issues on the offensive line, the Jaguars need to get to Deshaun Watson who was under pressure and being hit like no quarterback has been in over two decades. The Dallas Cowboys generated a ton of pressure, and the Jaguars’ defensive line, along with some of the blitzing linebackers, will need to get to Watson early and often in the Jaguars’ week two matchup.
The trenches are incredibly important in the NFL, and the Jaguars defensive line has the advantage over the Browns offensive line. The only issue for the Jaguars front is that the Browns could have some help coming to their offensive line, with both starting tackles potentially active. Regardless, the Jaguars defensive line has a chance to dominate against a struggling offensive line, combined with a quarterback not playing well whatsoever. It’s the most important matchup, especially considering the injuries the Jaguars are dealing with in the secondary.
Between the struggling Browns front and the Jaguars defensive line looking to climb the pass rush rankings, the matchup is incredibly important. The trenches discussion isn’t done either, as the second most important matchup is the Jaguars offensive line against the Browns defensive line.
Jaguars Offensive Line vs Browns Defensive Line
There might not be a tougher player in the NFL for an offensive line to block than Myles Garrett. The Jaguars struggled in week one against a less talented front from the Miami Dolphins. The Browns front is far from just Garrett as well. Za’Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Dalvin Tomlinson are just some of the pieces along the defensive line. This group leads one of the best defenses in the NFL, and despite the Browns being blown out by the Dallas Cowboys, the Browns’ defense was ranked 11th by PFF by overall defensive grade.
But for the matchup, the Jaguars should be most worried about, the Browns’ pass rush is ranked fourth. In comparison, the Jaguars offensive line is ranked 17th in pass blocking. While the Jaguars can win if they stifle Watson with great pressure, the Browns’ defensive line will be a very tough matchup for the Jaguars’ offensive line and could dictate whether the Jaguars can move the ball offensively or not.
Anton Harrison has gotten off to a rough start in the 2024 season, and Cam Robinson is banged up, but expected to play. There is a lot to be concerned about with this matchup, especially with how poorly the Jaguars offense looked in the second half of their week one matchup.
Jaguars Receivers vs Browns Defensive Backs
While the Browns’ front seven is incredible, their secondary might be even better. Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome III will be locking down the Jaguars wide receivers on the outside. Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis will have tough coverage to overcome, with both receivers lining up outside the majority of the time in week one. Martin Emerson Jr. is the Browns’ slot corner, and Christian Kirk will have a chance to bounce back from his disappointing week one. Emerson struggled in week one for Cleveland and had the lowest PFF grade in coverage by a significant margin compared to the other starters. It’s a good matchup in the slot, and tough outside for the Jaguars receiving corps.
Evan Engram could also see an up-and-down game, as he also lines up in the slot a good amount for a tight end, and he won’t be spared if he is lined up as an in-line tight end. The Browns’ safety duo is incredible, with both Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit rounding out an incredible secondary for the Browns. Both safeties had a great week one performance in coverage, and linebacker Owusu-Koramoah also played well in coverage.
A unit that is one of the best across the NFL, the Browns’ defense will pose a huge challenge for the Jaguars. From upfront with Garrett and Smith, to the secondary with Delpit, Ward, and Newsome, the Browns defense is regarded as one of the best in the NFL for good reason. A huge task is on tap for the Jaguars offense, and Trevor Lawrence will have to bounce back from a rough week one.
Injury Report: Cleveland Browns
There are three key players, all on the offensive side of the ball for the Browns, that are on the injury report heading into week two that have designations. David Njoku is out with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, both offensive tackles come into week two with injury designations. Jedrick Wills is out with a knee injury, and Jack Conklin is questionable with a knee injury.
Injury Report: Jacksonville Jaguars
Outside of the injured reserve placement of Tyson Campbell, the Jaguars will also be down safety Darnell Savage with a quad injury. Defensive end Tyler Lacy and linebacker Caleb Johnson are both questionable, dealing with a toe and back issue respectively.
Predictions For Jaguars and Browns
Entering week 2, the Jaguars and Browns look to rebound from their disappointing and frustrating week one. A test for both teams, as the Jaguars’ offense faces one of the toughest defenses in the league, while the Browns’ offense has a chance to move the ball much better thanks to returning offensive linemen and a worse defense than the Cowboys.
For the Jaguars and Browns’ week 2 matchup, the signs point towards a close game, with a low score. The Jaguars are favored by betting markets, and the over-under is 41.5, one of the lower lines of the week. The Jaguars just lost a close game on the road in Miami, but for the home opener in TrEver Bank, the Jaguars have a setup established where they can win against a tough opponent. A weak Browns offense, and a banged-up Jaguars defense, could help the Jaguars more than the Browns. The issue for the Browns is the offensive line, and the Jaguars defensive line is the only part of the defense that hasn’t been hit with an injury in 2024. Overall, the Jaguars match up fairly well with the Browns heading into their week two matchup.
The prediction for the Jaguars and Browns in week two is that the Jaguars win a close game, beating the Browns 24 to 21.
Main Image: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
