Browns @ Jaguars
Final Score: Browns 18, Jaguars 13
Writer: Riley Blum
This game was a bit of a slog, mostly dominated by defense and a total of 19 penalties between the two teams (13 by CLE, six by JAX). The Browns controlled the first half with over 20 minutes of possession and scored on all three of their drives. Trevor Lawrence was under constant pressure from the Browns’ defensive front. The Jaguars struggled to get anything going through the air in the first half and went into halftime with under 20 passing yards.
The Jags finally got the passing game and offense going in the second half, sparked by a 66-yard catch by rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. That spark carried over to the defense, and the Jaguars did not allow the Browns’ offense to score for the rest of the game. After a good defensive stand (with the help of penalties) to force a Browns’ punt, the Jaguars gave themselves a chance down by three with 1:44 remaining starting from their own two-yard line. The Browns’ defense came up big, and Alex Wright provided the play of the game, sacking Trevor Lawrence in the end zone for a safety.
.@Browns SAFETY to extend the lead in the 4th!
📺: #CLEvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vWF0FnFBkY— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Three Up
- Brian Thomas Jr. – The rookie continued to show his big play ability and was the Jaguars’ leading receiver. He should only get better as the season progresses and is looking like the WR1 in Jacksonville.
- D’Onta Foreman – Foreman looked strong running the ball and led the Browns in carries with 14. He would have led them in rushing yards, too, had he not had multiple runs called back due to penalties.
- Travis Etienne Jr. – Etienne flashed some explosiveness in this game and found the end zone on a short run. He also dominated the RB touches 16 to five.
Three Down
- Tank Bigsby – Bigsby was shaken up early by a big hit on a kickoff return. He fumbled, but luckily had that wiped out by a penalty. He did not record a single rush in this game.
- Christian Kirk – Kirk finished the game with one catch for -1 yard on three targets. We have not seen the volume many fantasy managers expected from the Jaguars’ slot WR. Kirk has two catches through the first two weeks of this season.
- Amari Cooper – Cooper tied for the team lead with eight targets, but only managed to record three catches for 11 yards. He also dropped what should have been an easy catch for a big gain on a third down. The targets have been there for Cooper, but they haven’t been particularly high quality. Jerry Jeudy looked like the better player in this game.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson: 22/34, 186 yards, 5 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD
Watson looked pretty sharp to start the game with some quick passes and scripted plays. He capped off a nine-minute drive with a QB sneak for a touchdown. As the game progressed, Watson wasn’t spectacular as a passer, but he did do well extending plays with his legs on many occasions escaping the pressure brought by the Jaguars’ defense. It is at least somewhat encouraging to see Watson be a willing runner and give us some glimpses of what made him productive for fantasy football when he was with Houston.
Notes
- The Browns brought Jameis Winston in on multiple fourth downs to run the QB sneak. On one hand, it shows they are trying to keep Watson and his shoulder healthy; on the other hand, it shows they may be concerned about that shoulder’s durability. Something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Jameis Winston: 2 carries, 4 yards
Winston was used on two QB sneaks. He was in for another play, but instead of the QB sneak, he gave the ball to RB Jerome Ford for a big gain on an outside run.
Running Back
Jerome Ford: 7 carries, 64 yards, 2 targets, 1 reception, 0 yards
Ford led the team in rushing yards and showed his speed on a 36-yard run when the Jaguars’ defense was expecting a QB sneak. That run was the Browns’ longest gain on the day, and Ford continues to look like the more explosive RB in this backfield. Unfortunately, teammate D’Onta Foreman saw double the amount of carries Ford did.
D’Onta Foreman: 14 carries, 42 yards, 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
Foreman looked like a powerful runner in this one, able to fall forward and move the pile on multiple plays. He took the first carry of the game for the Browns and out-carried Jerome Ford 14 to seven. Coaches seem to like Foreman wherever he plays, so it looks like we could be headed for a timeshare. The hope for Foreman would be that he can get more of the base rushing work and the goal-line duties; I’d expect Ford to continue to be the main pass catcher in this backfield.
Missed Opportunities
- Foreman had runs of six, 11, and 15 yards called back due to penalties.
Pierre Strong Jr.: 1 carry, -5 yards, 2 targets, 1 reception, 10 yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Amari Cooper: 8 targets, 3 receptions, 11 yards
Cooper tied for the team lead in targets, but only managed three catches for 11 yards. The target quality was not great for him in this one. Cooper displayed some chemistry and was productive in a small sample with Deshaun Watson at QB last year, but he continued to disappoint here in Week 2.
Missed Opportunities
- Cooper dropped what should have been an easy catch for a chunk play.
Jerry Jeudy: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 73 yards
Jeudy continues to outperform his new teammate, Amari Cooper. Jeudy was the Browns’ leading receiver in this game, and his 30-yard reception was the Browns’ biggest gain through the air. He did a good job creating separation and displayed some chemistry with QB Deshaun Watson on scramble drills.
Elijah Moore: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 44 yards
Moore tied for the team lead in targets, but he didn’t put up many receiving yards. He had some good gains on scripted pass plays on the Browns’ first drive, but he was relatively quiet the rest of the game. I’d want to see him be a bigger part of the game plan throughout the entire game before I’d consider him in fantasy.
David Bell: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 27 yards
Jordan Akins: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
Cedric Tillman: 2 targets, 1 reception, 2 yards
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 14/30, 220 yards, 2 carries, 45 yards
Trevor Lawrence was under constant pressure from Myles Garrett and the Browns’ defense in this one. Lawrence and the Jaguars struggled in the first half with less than 20 passing yards. He did most of his damage through the air in the second half on deep passes. I like that Lawrence is aggressive and wants to push the ball down the field; it makes sense why the Jaguars signed Gabe Davis and drafted Brian Thomas Jr. this offseason.
Lawrence added a pair of good runs in this game, including a 33-yard gain. His underrated mobility provides some value in fantasy.
Missed Opportunities
- Lawrence had a short TD pass to Christian Kirk nullified by an illegal shift penalty.
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: 13 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD, 4 targets, 3 receptions, 6 yards
Etienne managed to find the end zone on a four-yard rush in this game. Fantasy owners will also be happy to know he got the bulk of the rushing work and all of the receiving work among the Jaguars’ RBs. In fact, teammate Tank Bigsby didn’t record a carry at all after being shaken up early in the game on a kick return. Etienne looked explosive in space but was stuffed a few times running between the tackles by the Browns’ defensive line.
Missed Opportunities
- Etienne had another TD opportunity but was stuffed running up the middle from the two-yard line.
D’Ernest Johnson: 5 carries, 26 yards
With Tank Bigsby sidelined, Johnson was the RB used to spell starter Travis Etienne Jr. He looked decent against his former team, averaging just over 5 YPC. I’d expect Bigsby to reclaim this role next week.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Gabe Davis: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards
Davis operated mainly as a deep threat, and he led the team in targets. I wouldn’t expect him to lead the team in targets in most games. Davis came up walking gingerly after a play late in the game, so that could be something to keep an eye on this week.
Christian Kirk: 3 targets, 1 reception, -1 yards
Kirk only managed one catch against the Browns. Going into the season, many thought Kirk was a good value in drafts after showing chemistry with QB Trevor Lawrence in previous seasons. He primarily played in the slot (as usual), which may lead to more volatility if the Jaguars run more two WR sets. You have to wonder if he can regain his 2022 form with the increased target competition now in Jacksonville.
Missed Opportunities
- Kirk did catch a short TD which would have slightly salvaged his day from a fantasy perspective, but it was nullified by an illegal shift.
Brian Thomas Jr.: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 94 yards
Brian Thomas Jr. continues to live up to his first-round draft capital. The talented rookie’s day was highlighted by a big 66-yard catch that helped provide a spark for his team. BTJ had another 28-yard catch in traffic. He has elite size and speed, so he will continue to be a deep threat. If we see him get some more schemed lay-up routes and red zone work, Thomas will be a fantasy gem this season. If you took him late in drafts this season, you have to be pleased with his performance so far.
BIG catch from the @Jaguars rookie Brian Thomas Jr. 😱
📺: #KCvsJAX on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5O1CIoKoUB— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
Missed Opportunities
- Thomas was too eager to get upfield and was not able to haul in a catch-and-run opportunity. He would have been over 100 yards receiving on the day if he made that catch.
Brenton Strange: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 65 yards
Starting TE Evan Engram was ruled out with a hamstring injury in pregame warm-ups. Strange looked to be the preferred pass-catching TE, drawing 6 targets and racking up 65 yards. The Jaguars definitely scheme up looks for their TEs. If Engram misses time, Strange could be worth a look in the TE wasteland.
Parker Washington: 1 target
Luke Farrell: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Brenton Strange looks like the preferred TE in the passing game if Evan Engram misses time. The Jaguars’ tight ends combined for nine targets in this game.
Devin Duvernay: 1 carry, 4 yards