The Jacksonville Jaguars open the 2026 season at home against the Cleveland Browns in a matchup that features two franchises entering the year with very different expectations. Jacksonville is coming off a 13-4 season and the AFC South title, while Cleveland is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-12 season under a new coaching staff.
The Jaguars emerged as one of the best teams in the AFC last season. In his first season as an NFL head coach, Liam Cohenled the Jags to the AFC South crown and a postseason berth, raising the game of Trevor Lawrence in process. The Browns endured a difficult 2025 season, largely due to an ineffective offense that averaged just 16.4 points per game. Cleveland’s defense held them in multiple games, but couldn’t prevent another last-place finish.
A key to turning their fortunes around lies in Cleveland improving its play under center. Deshaun Watson is healthy for the first time in a year and a half and will get the first crack at moving the offense. We last saw him in 2024 and his QBR was a whopping 21.0 so it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Shedeur Sanders and potentially even beginners Taylen Green at some point this season. Trevor Lawrence will try to build on what was an efficient and arguably effective season in 2025. He had thrown for more yards and completed a higher percentage of passes in previous seasons, but he threw for more touchdowns and by all accounts was simply more in command of the field. The Jags will need him to take another step this season if they want to defend the AFC South and really contend in the playoffs.
The main story is undoubtedly the return of Watson, but keep an eye on several other players as their play will have a definite effect on the outcome of the game as well as the season for their respective team. Travis Hunter is healthy. Can he step up and become the lockdown corner the Jags need? And does he play an important role in the attack? Jerry Jewdy offers the Browns a true No. 1 receiver. 1. Can they get him the ball? Jacob Meyers will be with the Jags for a full season. The veteran moves the chains. Browns pass rush minus Myles Garrett. How does Cleveland’s Front 7 fare without a first-ballot Hall of Famer?
Let’s dive into the numbers and see if we can’t find a sweat or two.
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Game details and how to watch Browns vs. Jaguar
- date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
- time: 1 p.m. ET
- YOUR: EverBank Stadium
- town: Jacksonville, FL
- TV/Broadcasting: CBS
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Last game odds for Browns vs. Jaguars
The latest odds from Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Money line: Cleveland Browns (+350), Jacksonville Jaguars (-455)
- SPREAD: Jaguar -8.5
- in total: 40.5
Money has come to the Jaguars as this game opened with Jacksonville favored by a touchdown and an extra point. The total sits today where it opened.
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Rotoworld’s best bets
Browns vs Jaguars expert picks and predictions
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Our model calculates predictions around every money line, spread and over/under for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points such as past performance, player matchups, betting trends and weather forecasts.
After the model finishes running, we place its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each bet.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between the Browns and Jaguars:
- Money line: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a Moneyline game
- SPREAD: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a Browns game +8.5 ATS.
- in total: Betting Rotoworld is leaning towards a game in the OVER 40.5 total.
Which long shots can win the Super Bowl?
Trysta Krick and Vaughn Dalzell break down the Super Bowl odds ahead of kickoff and highlight the long-shot contenders, including the Eagles, Lions, Texans and Broncos.
Browns vs Jaguars betting trends and stats
- The Browns were 8-9 against the spread this season
- The Jaguars were 12-6 against the spread last season
- Cleveland was 8-9 in OVER last season
- Jacksonville was 10-7-1 in the OVER last season
Quarterback matchup for Browns vs. Jaguars
- Cleveland: Deshaun Watson
Statistics 2025: DNP
2024 Stats: 7GP, 1,148 Passing Yards, 5 TD, 3 INT, 21.0 Passer Rating - Jacksonville: Trevor Lawrence
2025 stats: 17GP, 4,007 passing yards, 29 TD, 12 INT, 91.0 passer rating
Key Playmakers: Browns vs. Jaguars
Cleveland Browns
- Harold Fannin Jr.
2025 Stats: 16 GP, 72 receptions on 107 targets for 731 yds, 6 TD - Jerry Jewdy
2025 Stats: 17 GP, 50 receptions on 106 targets for 602 yds, 2 TD - Quinshon Judkins
2025 Stats: 14GP, 230 carries for 827 yds, 7 TD
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Parker Washington
2025 Stats: 17 GP, 58 receptions on 95 targets for 847 yds, 5 TD - Brian Thomas Jr.
2025 Stats: 14GP, 48 catches on 91 targets for 707 yds, 2 TDs - Jacob Meyers
2025 Stats: 16 GP, 75 Catches on 110 Targets for 835 Yds, 3 TD
Browns vs. Jaguars injury update
Browns
- G Beasts Jenkins (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- DT Maliek Collins (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- C Parker Brailsford (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
Jaguars
- WR Jacob Meyers (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- RT Cole Van Lanen (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- RB LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip) is questionable for Sunday’s game
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